1987 Northern Tablelands state by-election
# 1987 Northern Tablelands state by-election

A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Northern Tablelands on 23 May 1987. The by-election was triggered by the resignation due to ill health of sitting Labor party member, Bill McCarthy, who died 3 days later. McCathy's widow Thelma was the Labor candidate at the by-election.

## Dates

| Date | Event |
| - | - |
| 22 April 1987 | Bill McCarthy resigned from parliament. |
| 25 April 1987 | Death of Bill McCarthy. |
| 1 May 1987 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. |
| 7 May 1987 | Nominations |
| 23 May 1987 | Polling day |
| 12 June 1987 | Return of writ |

## Results

1987 Northern Tablelands by-election Saturday 23 May :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | National | Ray Chappell | 14,790 | 52.6 | +52.6 |
| | Labor | Thelma McCarthy | 13,347 | 47.4 | -4.2 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 28,137 | 98.7 | -0.1 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 381 | 1.3 | +0.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 28,518 | 85.3 | -8.8 |
| | National gain from Labor | National gain from Labor | Swing | +4.2 | |
