| Election Name: | 1866 Nebraska gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Nebraska |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Next Election: | 1868 Nebraska gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1868 |
| Election Date: | June 2, 1866 |
| Nominee1: | David Butler |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 4,093 |
| Percentage1: | 50.8% |
| Nominee2: | J. Sterling Morton |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 3,948 |
| Percentage2: | 49.0% |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Alvin Saunders (Territorial) |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | David Butler |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
The 1866 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on June 2, 1866, before Nebraska officially became a state. The Nebraska Constitution of 1866 specified that "the first election for Governor... shall be held on the second day of June, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six" in order to prepare for statehood. This election featured Republican nominee David Butler defeating Democratic nominee J. Sterling Morton to become the first Governor of the State of Nebraska.
Although this election took place on June 2, 1866, Nebraska did not officially become a state until March 1, 1867. This meant that all officeholders elected under the Nebraska Constitution of 1866, including governor-elect David Butler, did not take office until after the transition period on March 27, 1867.[1]