| Election Name: | 1978 Wisconsin Secretary of State election |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1978 |
| Country: | Wisconsin |
| Previous Election: | 1974 Wisconsin Secretary of State election |
| Previous Year: | 1974 |
| Next Election: | 1982 Wisconsin Secretary of State election |
| Next Year: | 1982 |
| Image1: | Vel Phillips (WI).png |
| Nominee1: | Vel Phillips |
| Party1: | Democratic Party of Wisconsin |
| Popular Vote1: | 697,945 |
| Percentage1: | 50.4% |
| Nominee2: | Frederic A. Seefeldt |
| Party2: | Republican Party of Wisconsin |
| Popular Vote2: | 663,474 |
| Percentage2: | 47.9% |
| Secretary of State | |
| Before Election: | Doug La Follette |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party of Wisconsin |
| After Election: | Vel Phillips |
| After Party: | Democratic Party of Wisconsin |
The 1978 Wisconsin Secretary of State election took place on November 7, 1978, to elect the Secretary of State of Wisconsin. Incumbent Democrat Doug La Follette declined to seek re-election, instead running in the primary for Lieutenant Governor. Milwaukee Alderwoman and civil rights activist Vel Phillips was nominated in a field of 9 candidates and defeated Republican Frederic A. Seefeldt. Her election made her the first African American to be elected to a statewide office in Wisconsin.