Results of the 1872 New South Wales colonial election

The 1872 New South Wales colonial election was for 72 members representing 60 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 8 multi-member districts returning 20 members and 52 single member districts. In the multi-member districts each elector could vote for as many candidates as there were vacancies. 12 districts were uncontested.[1]

There were three districts that did not have a residential or property qualification, Goldfields North (1,500), Goldfields South (2,500) and Goldfields West (16,000). The average number of enrolled voters per seat in the other districts was 1,839 ranging from The Paterson (600) to The Lachlan (4,355).[2] The electoral boundaries were established under the Electoral Act 1858 (NSW).[3][4]