| Election Name: | 1982 Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council election |
| Seats Before5: | 0 |
| Popular Vote4: | 4,870 |
| Percentage4: | 15.3% |
| Swing4: | 11.6% |
| Seats Before4: | 1 |
| Seats4: | 3 |
| Seat Change4: | 2 |
| Party5: | Liberal Party (UK) |
| Popular Vote5: | 2,784 |
| Percentage5: | 8.7% |
| Swing5: | New |
| Seats5: | 2 |
| Seat Change3: | 2 |
| Seat Change5: | 2 |
| Party6: | Social Democratic Party (UK) |
| Popular Vote6: | 2,189 |
| Percentage6: | 6.9% |
| Swing6: | New |
| Seats Before6: | 0 |
| Seats6: | 0 |
| Seat Change6: | 0 |
| Previous Election: | 1978 Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council election |
| Previous Year: | 1978 |
| Next Election: | 1986 Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council election |
| Party4: | Scottish National Party |
| Seats3: | 4 |
| Type: | legislative |
| Seat Change1: | 4 |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Election Date: | 6 May 1982 |
| Country: | Scotland |
| Party Colour: | yes |
| Party Name: | yes |
| Turnout: | 39% |
| Party1: | Independent politician |
| Popular Vote1: | 16,287 |
| Percentage1: | 51.1% |
| Seats Before1: | 26 |
| Seats1: | 22 |
| Party2: | Conservative Party (UK) |
| Seats Before3: | 2 |
| Popular Vote2: | 4,111 |
| Percentage2: | 12.9% |
| Seats Before2: | 5 |
| Seats2: | 4 |
| Seat Change2: | 1 |
| Swing1: | 16.3% |
| Swing2: | 2.8% |
| Party3: | Labour Party (UK) |
| Popular Vote3: | 1,635 |
| Percentage3: | 5.1% |
| Swing3: | 7.2% |
| Next Year: | 1986 |
The third Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council election was held on 6 May 1982 around Scotland. Elections also took place in England. This election, more wards were contested, with over 75% of Dumfries and Galloway residents being able to vote.
Also, this was the first time the Liberals and the SDP contested the regional election in Dumfries and Galloway. The Conservatives remained the official opposition to the independents, even though they lost one of their seats. Labour managed to increase their seats while decreasing their vote share. The Scottish National Party (SNP) had a very good election, gaining 2 seats and increasing their vote share by over 11%. This election had the most candidates seeking election, with 72 (an increase of 18 from last election.[1]