The 1898 New South Wales colonial election was for 125 electoral districts, with each district returning one member.The election was conducted on the basis of a simple majority or first-past-the-post voting system. In this election, in 21 electorates the winning candidate received less than 50% of the votes, while 3 were uncontested. The average number of enrolled voters per electorate was 2,416, ranging from The Shoalhaven (1,577) to Marrickville (3,516).[1]
William McMillan had been elected as a Free Trade member, but changed to National Federal for this election.
The sitting member Thomas Waddell (National Federal) successfully contested Cowra.
The sitting member Charles Collins (Free Trade) died in 1898 and Hugh Ross (Labour) had won the seat in a by-election.
Philip Morton had been elected as an Independent Free Trader but changed to National Federal.
John McElhone (Independent Free Trade) died in 1898 and John Norton (National Federal) had won the seat in a by-election.