| Election Name: | 1863 Rhode Island gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Rhode Island |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1862 Rhode Island gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1862 |
| Next Election: | 1864 Rhode Island gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1864 |
| Election Date: | 1 April 1863 |
| Nominee1: | James Y. Smith |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 10,828 |
| Percentage1: | 58.00% |
| Nominee2: | William C. Cozzens |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 7,537 |
| Percentage2: | 40.37% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | William C. Cozzens |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | James Y. Smith |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
The 1863 Rhode Island gubernatorial election was held on 1 April 1863 in order to elect the Governor of Rhode Island. Republican nominee and former Mayor of Providence James Y. Smith defeated incumbent Democratic Governor William C. Cozzens.[1]
On election day, 1 April 1863, Republican nominee James Y. Smith won the election by a margin of 3,291 votes against his opponent incumbent Democratic Governor William C. Cozzens, thereby gaining Republican control over the office of Governor. Smith was sworn in as the 29th Governor of Rhode Island on 5 May 1863.[2]