| Election Name: | 1996 North Carolina gubernatorial election |
| Country: | North Carolina |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1992 North Carolina gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1992 |
| Next Election: | 2000 North Carolina gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 2000 |
| Election Date: | November 5, 1996 |
| Nominee1: | Jim Hunt |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,436,638 |
| Percentage1: | 55.98% |
| Nominee2: | Robin Hayes |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,097,053 |
| Percentage2: | 42.75% |
| Map Size: | 325px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Jim Hunt |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Jim Hunt |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1996 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on 5 November 1996. The general election was fought between the Democratic nominee, incumbent Governor Jim Hunt and the Republican nominee, state representative Robin Hayes. Hunt won by 56% to 43%, winning his fourth term as governor.
Jim Hunt won the Democratic nomination unopposed.