| Election Name: | 1878 Maine gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Maine |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1877 Maine gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1877 |
| Next Election: | 1879 Maine gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1879 |
| Election Date: | 9 September 1878 |
| Nominee1: | Alonzo Garcelon |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 28,218 |
| Percentage1: | 22.36% |
| Nominee2: | Seldon Connor |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 56,554 |
| Percentage2: | 44.82% |
| Nominee3: | Joseph L. Smith |
| Party3: | Greenback Party |
| Popular Vote3: | 41,371 |
| Percentage3: | 32.79% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Seldon Connor |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Alonzo Garcelon |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1878 Maine gubernatorial election was held on 9 September 1878 in order to elect the Governor of Maine. Democratic nominee and former Mayor of Lewiston Alonzo Garcelon defeated incumbent Republican Governor Seldon Connor and Greenback nominee Joseph L. Smith. However, as no candidate received a majority of the total votes cast as was required by Maine law, the election was forwarded to the Maine legislature, who chose Garcelon as governor, despite the fact he came in last in the popular vote.[1]
On election day, 9 September 1878, Democratic nominee Alonzo Garcelon won the election despite losing the popular vote by a margin of 28,336 votes against his foremost opponent incumbent Republican Governor Seldon Connor, thereby gaining Democratic control over the office of governor. Garcelon was sworn in as the 36th Governor of Maine on 8 January 1879.[2]