title: 1954 Leichhardt state by-election
text: # 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.
  