title: 1866 Clarence colonial by-election
text: # 1866 Clarence colonial by-election
  
  A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of the Clarence on 27 August 1866 following the resignation of John Laycock.
  
  ## Dates
  
  | Date | Event |
  | - | - |
  | 1 August 1866 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and close of electoral rolls. |
  | 20 August 1866 | Nominations |
  | 27 August 1866 | Polling day, between the hours of 8 am and 6 pm |
  | 10 September 1866 | Return of writ |
  
  ## Candidates
  
  * John Robertson had been appointed Secretary for Lands but had been defeated at the resulting 1866 West Sydney by-election.
  * Alexander MacKellar had been the second placed candidate at the 1859 election for The Clarence receiving 30.3% of the vote.
  
  ## Results
  
  1866 The Clarence by-election Monday 27 August :
  
  | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | John Robertson (elected) | John Robertson (elected) | 219 | 57.2 |
  | Alexander MacKellar | Alexander MacKellar | 164 | 42.8 |
  | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 383 | 98.2 |
  | Informal votes | Informal votes | 7 | 1.8 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | 390 | 18.3 |
  