1913 Lyttelton by-election

The Lyttelton by-election of 1913 was a by-election during the 18th New Zealand Parliament. As no candidate won an absolute majority on the first ballot on 9 December, a second round was held on 16 December.^[1] The seat had become vacant due to the death of sitting MP George Laurenson. Five candidates stood. It was the last by-election in New Zealand to use the Two-round voting system to elect a member.

1913 Lyttelton by-election

← 1911 general 16 December 1913 (1913-12-16) 1914 general →
Turnout	5,030
Candidate James McCombs Malcolm Miller Party Social Democrat Reform Popular vote 2,628 2,402 Percentage 52.25% 47.75%
Member before election George Laurenson Liberal Elected Member James McCombs Social Democrat

Results

The following tables give the election results:

First ballot

1913 Lyttelton by-election: First ballot

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Social Democrat	James McCombs	2,075	42.20
	Reform	Malcolm Miller	1,560	31.73
	Liberal	James Laurenson	922	18.75
	Independent Liberal	Henry Thacker	263	5.35
	Independent	William Radcliffe	97	1.97
Turnout			4,917

The two highest candidates were McCombs and Miller, so they contested the second ballot.

Second ballot

1913 Lyttelton by-election: Second ballot

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Social Democrat	James McCombs	2,628	52.25
	Reform	Malcolm Miller	2,402	47.75
Majority			226	4.50
Turnout			5,030
	Social Democrat gain from Liberal		Swing