The 1916 Coolgardie state by-election was a by-election held on 15 August 1916 for the Coolgardie seat in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly. The by-election was triggered by the death of the sitting Labor member Charles McDowall on 13 July 1916.
Background Charles McDowall had represented the Coolgardie electorate since winning the seat at the 1908 state election. He was re-elected unopposed at the 1914 state election. McDowall died in West Perth on 13 July 1916 from Bright's disease creating a casual vacancy. Labor pre-selected former miner George Lambert as its candidate. He had sat previously on the Kalgoorlie Municipal Council in 1904. Two other candidates nominated: Donald MacPherson and chemist John Boileau. They were described as "Liberal Opponents" but officially contested the seats as independents.
Results George Lambert won the seat for Labor in a landslide, securing a substantial majority.
Party Candidate Votes % Labor George Lambert 1,164 71.9 Independent Donald MacPherson 340 21.0 Independent John Boileau 115 7.1 Total formal votes 1,619 100.0
Aftermath Lambert was elected and went on to hold Coolgardie with comfortable majorities at subsequent elections until the seat was abolished in a redistribution ahead of the 1930 state election. After which he represented the new Electoral district of Yilgarn-Coolgardie until 30 June 1941 when he died in office, resulting in another casual vacancy.
See also Electoral results for the district of Coolgardie
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