| Election Name: | 1846 Illinois gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Illinois |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | Yes |
| Previous Election: | 1842 Illinois gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1842 |
| Next Election: | 1848 Illinois gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1848 |
| Election Date: | August 3, 1846 |
| Image1: | Augustus.C.French (cropped).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Augustus C. French |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 58,657 |
| Percentage1: | 58.20% |
| Nominee2: | Thomas M. Kilpatrick |
| Party2: | Whig Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 37,033 |
| Percentage2: | 36.69% |
| Image3: | 3x4.svg |
| Nominee3: | Richard Eells |
| Party3: | Liberty Party (United States, 1840) |
| Popular Vote3: | 5,154 |
| Percentage3: | 5.11% |
| Map Size: | 150px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Thomas Ford |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Augustus C. French |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1846 Illinois gubernatorial election was the eighth quadrennial election for this office. Democrat Augustus C. French defeated Whig nominee Thomas M. Kilpatrick, for the office. Richard Eels of the Liberty Party came in a distant third.The term was cut short, and lasted only half the normal length. This synchronized the gubernatorial election with the election for President.