Not contested by both major parties, Second ballot required, Second Ballot changed primary result
Candidate
Party
Votes
%
2nd Ball
%
Bavin, Thomas Rainsford (Elected)
Nationalist
2,928
26.94
5,612
50.17
Forsyth, Robert Frederick
Ind Nationalist
2,753
25.33
Loxton, Edward James
Ind Nationalist
3,822
35.16
5,573
49.83
Petrie, Fitt Charles
Ind Nationalist
1,366
12.57
Formal Votes
10,869
11,185
Informal Votes
89
0.81
28
0.25
Total Votes / Turnout
10,958
62.74
11,213
64.20
Notes: Sitting Liberal MP and former Premier CG Wade retired to take the position of Agent-General in London. Evatt states this was part of the deal that saw Holman become Premier leading a Nationalist Government after the Labor Party split over conscription. The same deal saw Wade return in 1920 to take a seat on the NSW Supreme Court. (Evatt p318) Bavin was selected as the Nationalist candidate after attempts to have William Holman chosen as the candidate. The local Liberal Association objected to Bavin, believing he would resign if Holman lost Cootamundra, so allowing Holman to remain as Premier. The three independents who nominated had been defeated by Bavin in pre-selection. (Rydon, Spann and Nelson)