The 1877 New South Wales colonial election was for 73 members representing 61 electoral districts. The election was conducted on the basis of a simple majority or first-past-the-post voting system. In this election there were 8 multi-member districts returning 20 members and 53 single member districts. In the multi-member districts each elector could vote for as many candidates as there were vacancies. 17 districts were uncontested. There was no recognisable party structure at this election.
There were four districts that did not have a residential or property qualification, Goldfields North (1,200), Goldfields South (1,500), Goldfields West (10,000) and University of Sydney (158). The average number of enrolled voters per seat in the other districts was 2,342 ranging from The Paterson (556) to The Bogan (7,401).[1] The electoral boundaries were established under the Electoral Act 1858 (NSW).[2] [3]
The other sitting member William Long successfully contested Parramatta.
The sitting member was Patrick Shepherd who did not contest the election. John Smith was the sitting member for Wellington.
The other sitting member Charles Byrnes did not contest the election. William Long was the member for Central Cumberland.[4]
The sitting member was John Smith who unsuccessfully contested Nepean.
William Johnston had won the seat at the 1877 by-election. John Booth was one of the sitting members for East Macquarie.