Elections to Manchester Borough Council were held on Friday, 14 December 1838.
This was the first local election held in Manchester since it had been incorporated under the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 alongside the townships of Beswick, Cheetham Hill, Chorlton upon Medlock, and Hulme. As this was the first election to the Council, all seats for each of the fifteen wards were up for election. The candidate in each ward with the highest number of votes was elected for three years, the candidate with the second highest number of votes was elected for two years and the candidate with the third highest number of votes was elected for one year. Only one of the fifteen wards was contested.
The Conservative anti-corporators boycotted the election due to their opposition to incorporation. All seats were won by the Liberal incorporators with the only opposition coming in New Cross ward where the Radicals stood a slate of candidates.
Aldermanic elections took place during the council's first meeting on 15 December 1838, all Aldermanic seats were up for election.
Seven by-elections were held on 16 May 1839 to fill vacancies that were created by the appointment of aldermen on 15 December 1838.
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor James Kershaw (Liberal, Collegiate Church, elected 14 December 1838) on 15 December 1838, following the incorporation of Manchester Borough Council on 14 December 1838, requiring the election of aldermen by the council.
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor C. J. S. Walker (Liberal, New Cross, elected 14 December 1838) on 15 December 1838, following the incorporation of Manchester Borough Council on 14 December 1838, requiring the election of aldermen by the council.
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor Henry Tootal (Liberal, Oxford, elected 14 December 1838) on 15 December 1838, following the incorporation of Manchester Borough Council on 14 December 1838, requiring the election of aldermen by the council.
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor William Neild (Liberal, St. Clement's, elected 14 December 1838) on 15 December 1838, following the incorporation of Manchester Borough Council on 14 December 1838, requiring the election of aldermen by the council.
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor William Romaine Callender (Liberal, St. James', elected 14 December 1838) on 15 December 1838, following the incorporation of Manchester Borough Council on 14 December 1838, requiring the election of aldermen by the council.
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor Alexander Kay (Liberal, St. John's, elected 14 December 1838) on 15 December 1838, following the incorporation of Manchester Borough Council on 14 December 1838, requiring the election of aldermen by the council.
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor Richard Cobden (Liberal, St. Michael's, elected 14 December 1838), Councillor John Brooks (Liberal, St. Michael's, elected 14 December 1838), and the Mayor, Councillor Thomas Potter (Liberal, St. Michael's, elected 14 December 1838) on 15 December 1838, following the incorporation of Manchester Borough Council on 14 December 1838, requiring the election of aldermen by the council.