1866 West Sydney colonial by-election
# 1866 West Sydney colonial by-election

A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of West Sydney on 17 January 1866 because John Robertson had been re-appointed Secretary for Lands in the fourth Cowper ministry. Such ministerial by-elections were usually uncontested however on this occasion a poll was required at both West Sydney and The Williams (Marshall Burdekin). Both Robertson and Burdekin were defeated, with the Cowper government falling, replaced by the second Martin ministry.

## Dates

| Date | Event |
| - | - |
| 1 January 1866 | John Robertson re-appointed Secretary for Lands. |
| 9 January 1866 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. |
| 15 January 1866 | Nominations |
| 17 January 1866 | Polling day |
| 20 January 1866 | Return of writ |

## Result

1866 West Sydney by-election Wednesday 17 January :

| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - |
| William Windeyer (elected) | William Windeyer (elected) | 869 | 52.4 |
| John Robertson (defeated) | John Robertson (defeated) | 789 | 47.6 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 1,658 | 100.0 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | 0 | 0.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | 1,658 | 21.2 |
