Nominations: Friday, 28 March 1856, Polling: Monday, 31 March 1856
Candidate
Votes
Votes %
Bligh, James William
179
46.02
Plunkett, John Hubert (Elected)
210
53.98
Formal Votes
389
Informal Votes
0
0.00
Total Votes / Turnout
389
54.63
Persons Voting / Turnout
389
54.63
Notes: Both Bligh and Plunkett had served in the old Legislative Council, Bligh representing Bathurst County and Plunkett as an appointed member. Plunkett had earlier attempted to win election for Sydney City, and was elected to represent Argyle on the same day as winning Bathurst County. After signing the attendance book at the first sitting as a representative of both seats, and even attempting to vote twice in the ballot for Speaker, he chose to represent Bathurst and resigned as member for Argyle.
Source: Report of nominations, SMH 1 April 1856, p.3 col.2-4. Results from SMH 10 April 1856, p.5 col.2, including booth results, reporting results from Bathurst Free Press and matching total votes from 1857 Blue Book. The Empire printed slightly different figures with Plunkett with 207 votes.