[1] The by-election was triggered by the resignation of first-term Labor MP Thomas Butterfield on 21 March to contest a seat in the Australian Senate at the 1917 federal election.
[2][3] There were only two candidates Port Augusta labourer William Harvey for the Labor Party, and Quorn farmer and grazier Edward Twopeny for the Liberal Union.
There were also booths at Beltana, Belton, Blinman, Boolcunda East, Bruce, Carrieton, Cockburn, Cordillo Downs, Cradock, Edeowie, Eurelia, Farina, Gordon, Hammond, Hookina, Johnburg, Leigh Creek, Limestone Well, Lyndhurst Siding, Marree, Mount Lyndhurst, Mungeranie, Murnpeowie, Olary, Oodnadatta, Parachilna, Port Augusta West, Saltia, Stirling North, Warcowie, Waukaringa, William Creek, Willipa, Wilson, Wooltana, Wyacca and Yanyarrie.
Harvey stated that "had the rolls been in good order Labor would have won" and claimed that 200 Labor voters in Port Augusta had been refused a vote, but stated he was "pleased with the way Mr Twopeny had run the campaign".
[8] Butterworth lost the Senate race at the federal election, reclaimed his Newcastle seat at the 1918 state election and would go on to be a senior minister in state Labor governments during the 1920s.