1901 Melbourne state by-election explained

Country:Victoria
Type:parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1900 Victorian colonial election
Previous Year:1900
Next Election:1902 Victorian state election
Next Year:1902
Election Date:8 October 1909
Seats For Election:Electoral district of Melbourne in the Victorian Legislative Assembly
Colour1:8DB4D2
Popular Vote1:1,974
Percentage1:80.3%
Swing1: 53.3
Party2:Labour
Colour2:EF0011
Popular Vote2:483
Percentage2:19.7
Swing2: 12.4
MP
Before Election:Edward Findley
Before Party:Labour
After Election:James Boyd

The 1901 Melbourne state by-election was held on 16 July 1901 to elect the next member for Melbourne in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, following the expulsion of incumbent MP Edward Findley.

Findley, a Labour member, had been expelled from parliament for seditious libel a month prior on 25 June because, as editor of the Toscin, he was held responsible for republishing an article from the Dublin Irish People which was critical of King Edward VII. He chose to contest the Melbourne East by-election, held on the same day as the Melbourne by-election, but was unsuccessful.

The by-election was won by candidate James Boyd, who had a swing towards him of more than 50% compared to his previous result in 1900.