| Election Name: | 1806 Rhode Island gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Rhode Island |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1805 Rhode Island gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1805 |
| Next Election: | 1807 Rhode Island gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1807 |
| Election Date: | 2 April 1806 |
| Nominee1: | Richard Jackson Jr. |
| Party1: | Federalist Party |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,662 |
| Percentage1: | 43.07% |
| Nominee2: | Henry Smith |
| Party2: | Democratic-Republican Party |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,097 |
| Percentage2: | 28.43% |
| Nominee3: | Peleg Arnold |
| Party3: | Democratic-Republican Party |
| Popular Vote3: | 1,094 |
| Percentage3: | 28.35% |
| Map Size: | 270px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Henry Smith |
| Before Party: | Democratic-Republican Party |
| After Election: | Isaac Wilbour |
| After Party: | Democratic-Republican Party |
The 1806 Rhode Island gubernatorial election was held on 2 April 1806 in order to elect the Governor of Rhode Island. Federalist nominee Richard Jackson Jr. won a plurality of the vote against incumbent Democratic-Republican Governor Henry Smith and Democratic-Republican candidate and incumbent Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court Peleg Arnold. However, as no candidate received a majority of the total votes cast as was required by Rhode Island law, the election was forwarded to the Rhode Island legislature. When the legislature was also unable to elect a Governor, it was decided that Democratic-Republican Lieutenant Governor-elect Isaac Wilbour would serve out the term as Acting Governor.[1] [2]
On election day, 2 April 1806, Federalist nominee Richard Jackson Jr. led the field by a margin of 565 votes against his foremost opponent incumbent Democratic-Republican Governor Henry Smith. As he however didn't receive a majority of all votes cast, the race was ultimately awarded to Democratic-Republican Lieutenant Governor-elect Isaac Wilbour, who would serve out the term as Acting Governor, thereby retaining Democratic-Republican control over the office of Governor. Wilbour was sworn in as the Acting 6th Governor of Rhode Island on 7 May 1806.[3]