Wisconsin gubernatorial elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November every four years on even, non-presidential election years since 1970. Between 1884 and 1970, gubernatorial elections were held on every even-numbered year. Prior to 1882, gubernatorial elections were held on every odd-numbered year.
The Wisconsin gubernatorial election selects the Governor of Wisconsin and Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin who will take office for a four-year term beginning the first Monday of the first January following the election. The election operates under first-past-the-post rules with no runoff. Prior to 2014, the lieutenant gubernatorial election was a separate election on the same ballot.
The first Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held May 8, 1848, concurrent with a referendum to ratify the Wisconsin Constitution. Since then, there have been 74 regular Wisconsin gubernatorial elections and one special recall election.
Fifty-five elections have been won by Republican candidates. Seventeen elections were won by Democratic candidates. Three were won by Wisconsin Progressives. One was won by a Whig.
Incumbents have been re-elected 35 times and have been defeated 14 times.
Percentages are approximate:
^ Recall election