The 1861 South Australian Legislative Council election was held on 28 March 1861. Six of the 18 seats in the Legislative Council (the upper house) were up for re-election.
The election used non-compulsory plurality block voting, in which electors voted for as many candidates as they wished. Members were elected in a single 18-member district, with suffrage extended to men (including Aboriginals) over 21 years of age who owned property worth at least £50, unless they were "attainted or convicted of treason or felony".
As per section eight of the Constitution Act 1856, six members of the Legislative Council must vacate their seats every four years.
Outgoing members The outgoing members vacated their seats on 2 February 1861. Five of the six members contested the election. Names in bold won re-election, whilst names in italic ran unsuccessfully.
Member Date elected Charles Hervey Bagot 9 March 1857 John Baker 9 March 1857 Samuel Davenport 9 March 1857 Anthony Forster 9 March 1857 Abraham Scott 9 March 1857 William Younghusband 9 March 1857
Results +Legislative Council (BV) – Turnout 21.3% (Non-CV)PartyVotesSeatsVotes %Swing ()SeatsChange Independent 13,214 100.0 ±0.0 18 0Total 13,214 100.0 – 18 Informal votes 214 7.3 –6.3Turnout 2,921 21.3 –35.4Registered voters 13,731––Source: ECSA
The Province
See also Members of the South Australian Legislative Council, 1861–1865
References