| Election Name: | 1776 New Jersey gubernatorial election |
| Country: | New Jersey |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Next Election: | 1777 New Jersey gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1777 |
| Election Date: | 31 August 1776 |
| Nominee1: | William Livingston |
| Party1: | Nonpartisan politician |
| Popular Vote1: | 19 |
| Percentage1: | 51.35% |
| Nominee2: | Richard Stockton |
| Party2: | Nonpartisan politician |
| Popular Vote2: | 18 |
| Percentage2: | 48.65% |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | William Franklin (as Royal Governor) |
| Before Party: | Nonpartisan politician |
| After Party: | Nonpartisan politician |
The 1776 New Jersey gubernatorial election was held on August 31, 1776, in order to elect the first Governor of New Jersey. Candidate and former Member of the New York General Assembly William Livingston was elected by the New Jersey General Assembly against his opponent candidate Richard Stockton.[1]
On election day, August 31, 1776, candidates William Livingston and Richard Stockton each received the same number of votes on the first ballot. On the second ballot, Livingston was elected by the New Jersey General Assembly by a margin of one vote.[2] Livingston was sworn in as the first Governor of New Jersey that same day.[3]