The 1856 Illinois gubernatorial election was the eleventh election for this office. Democratic governor Joel Aldrich Matteson did not seek re-election. Former Democratic Congressman William Henry Bissell was nominated by the newly formed Republican Party at the Bloomington Convention. Former Whig Mayor of Chicago Buckner S. Morris was nominated on the Know-Nothing Party ticket.

1856 Illinois gubernatorial election

← 1852 November 4, 1856 1860 →

Nominee William Henry Bissell William Alexander Richardson Buckner S. Morris Party Republican Democratic Know Nothing Popular vote 111,466 106,769 19,088 Percentage 46.97% 44.99% 8.04%

County Results Bissell:      30-40%      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% Richardson:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      90-100% Morris:      40-50%

Governor before election Joel Aldrich Matteson Democratic Elected Governor William Henry Bissell Republican

The Democratic campaign focused upon Bissell's involvement in a duel with future Confederate President Jefferson Davis, legally disqualifying him from holding state office, while the Republican campaign emphasized the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Despite Bissell's victory, Republican presidential nominee John C. Fremont would fail to carry the state in the concurrent presidential election. This was the first election of a Republican governor in Illinois history, as well as the first election of a Catholic.

At this time in Illinois history the Lieutenant Governor was elected on a separate ballot from the governor. This would remain the case until the adoption of the 1970 constitution.