| Election Name: | 1856 New Hampshire gubernatorial election |
| Country: | New Hampshire |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1855 New Hampshire gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1855 |
| Next Election: | 1857 New Hampshire gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1857 |
| Election Date: | 11 March 1856 |
| Nominee1: | Ralph Metcalf |
| Party1: | Know Nothing |
| Popular Vote1: | 32,119 |
| Percentage1: | 48.15% |
| Nominee2: | John S. Wells |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 32,031 |
| Percentage2: | 48.02% |
| Map Size: | 245px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Ralph Metcalf |
| Before Party: | Know Nothing |
| After Election: | Ralph Metcalf |
| After Party: | Know Nothing |
The 1856 New Hampshire gubernatorial election was held on 11 March 1856 in order to elect the Governor of New Hampshire. Incumbent Know Nothing Governor Ralph Metcalf won re-election against Democratic nominee and former United States Senator from New Hampshire John S. Wells and Whig nominee and former member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives Ichabod Goodwin.Since no candidate received a majority in the popular vote, Metcalf was elected by the New Hampshire General Court per the state constitution.[1]
On election day, 11 March 1856, incumbent Know Nothing Governor Ralph Metcalf won re-election by a margin of 88 votes against his foremost opponent Democratic nominee John S. Wells, but because no candidate received a majority of the popular vote, a separate election was held by the New Hampshire General Court, which chose Governor Metcalf as the winner. He thereby retained Know Nothing control over the office of Governor. Metcalf was sworn in for his second term on 7 June 1856.[2]