| Election Name: | 1856 Maine gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Maine |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1855 Maine gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1855 |
| Next Election: | 1857 Maine gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1857 |
| Election Date: | 8 September 1856 |
| Nominee1: | Hannibal Hamlin |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 69,574 |
| Percentage1: | 58.07% |
| Nominee2: | Samuel Wells |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 43,628 |
| Percentage2: | 36.41% |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Samuel Wells |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Hannibal Hamlin |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
The 1856 Maine gubernatorial election was held on 8 September 1856 in order to elect the Governor of Maine. Incumbent Democratic Governor Samuel Wells lost re-election against Republican nominee and incumbent United States Senator from Maine Hannibal Hamlin.[1]
On election day, 8 September 1856, incumbent Democratic Governor Samuel Wells lost re-election by a margin of 25,946 votes against his foremost opponent Republican nominee Hannibal Hamlin, thereby losing Democratic control over the office of Governor to the Republicans. Hamlin was sworn in as the 26th Governor of Maine on 8 January 1857.[2]