Results of the 1885 New South Wales colonial election

The 1885 New South Wales colonial election was for 122 members representing 72 electoral districts. The election was conducted on the basis of a simple majority or first-past-the-post voting system. In this election there were 35 multi-member districts returning 85 members and 37 single member districts giving a total of 122 members. In the multi-member districts each elector could vote for as many candidates as there were vacancies. 7 districts were uncontested. There was no recognisable party structure at this election. The average number of enrolled voters per seat was 1,831, ranging from East Maitland (1,018) to Canterbury (2,630).

Argyle
The sitting member Sir Henry Parkes successfully contested St Leonards.

Balmain
The other sitting member William Hutchinson did not contest the election.

Braidwood
Angus Cameron was a sitting member for West Sydney however he had been defeated for that seat on Tuesday 13 October.

Carcoar
The other sitting member George Campbell did not contest the election.

East Macquarie
The other sitting member Edward Combes did not contest the election.

Gundagai
The sitting member James Watson did not contest the election.

The Gwydir
Thomas Dangar was the sitting member for The Namoi.

The Hume
The other sitting member Leyser Levin did not contest the election.

Illawarra
The sitting member Alexander Stuart did not contest the election.

Monaro
The sitting members Septimus Badgery and David Ryrie did not contest the election. Thomas O'Mara was the sitting member for Tumut.

Mudgee
The other sitting member David Buchanan did not contest the election.

The Murrumbidgee
The sitting members Auber Jones and George Loughnan did not contest the election. George Dibbs was the Premier and a member for St Leonards where he was successfully challenged by Sir Henry Parkes on Friday 16 October.

The Namoi
The sitting member Thomas Dangar unsuccessfully contested The Gwydir.

New England
The sitting member James Farnell was appointed to the Legislative Council and did not contest the election.

Northumberland
Joseph Gorrick was the sitting member for Wollombi.

Queanbeyan
The sitting member George De Salis did not contest the election.

Redfern
The other sitting member Alfred Fremlin did not contest the election.

The Richmond
The sitting member Samuel Gray did not contest the election

South Sydney
The other sitting member John Harris did not contest the election.

St Leonards
Sir Henry Parkes was the member for Argyle who contested St Leonards to successfully challenge the Premier George Dibbs. Dibbs was returned to Parliament by successfully contesting The Murrumbidgee on Saturday 31 October.

Tumut
The sitting member Thomas O'Mara unsuccessfully contested Monaro.

The Upper Hunter
The other sitting member John McLaughlin did not contest the election.

West Maitland
The sitting member Henry Cohen did not contest the election.

Wollombi
The sitting member Joseph Gorrick unsuccessfully contested Northumberland.