1954 Leichhardt state by-election
# 1954 Leichhardt state by-election

A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Leichhardt on 9 July 1954 because of the death of Claude Matthews (Labor) who committed suicide while still in office. He had been receiving treatment for a "nervous condition" for 18 months.

## Dates

| Date | Event |
| - | - |
| 9 January 1954 | Claude Matthews died. |
| 23 February 1954 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. |
| 3 March 1954 | Day of nomination |
| 20 March 1954 | Polling day |
| 5 April 1954 | Return of writ |

## Result

1954 Leichhardt by-election Saturday 20 March :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Reg Coady | 12,646 | 68.14 |
| | Independent | John Blackmore | 3,060 | 16.5 |
| | Independent | William Dougherty | 2,533 | 13.7 |
| | Independent | William McCristal | 320 | 1.7 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 18,559 | 96.5 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 665 | 3.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 19,224 | 79.4 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | |

* Preferences were not distributed.
