1866 Nebraska gubernatorial election

1866 Nebraska gubernatorial election
	County results; Butler: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90%; Morton: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%; No votes
Governor before election; Alvin Saunders (Territorial); Republican	Elected Governor; David Butler ; Republican

Last updated December 09, 2025

The 1866 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on June 2, 1866, before Nebraska officially became a state. The Nebraska Constitution of 1866 specified that "the first election for Governor... shall be held on the second day of June, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six" in order to prepare for statehood.^[1] This election featured Republican nominee David Butler defeating Democratic nominee J. Sterling Morton to become the first Governor of the State of Nebraska.^[2]

General election

Candidates

David Butler, Republican candidate
J. Sterling Morton, Democratic candidate

Results

Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1866^[2]^[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	David Butler	4,093	50.77%
	Democratic	J. Sterling Morton	3,948	48.97%
	Scattering		21
Total votes			8,062	100.0%

Aftermath

Although this election took place on June 2, 1866, Nebraska did not officially become a state until March 1, 1867.^[4] This meant that all officeholders elected under the Nebraska Constitution of 1866, including governor-elect David Butler, did not take office until after the transition period on March 27, 1867.^[5]

References

↑ Nebraska Constitution of 1866, Article XI, Section 4, 1866
1 2 Addison E. Sheldon, ed. (December 1918). The Nebraska Blue Book and Historical Register. Nebraska Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 439. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
↑ Harrison Johnson (1880). History of Nebraska. Henry Gibson Herald Printing House. p. 52.
↑ 14 Stat. 820
↑ Morton, Julius Sterling (1913). Illustrated History of Nebraska: A History of Nebraska from the Earliest Explorations of the Trans-Mississippi Region, with Steel Engravings, Photogravures, Copper Plates, Maps, and Tables. J. North. p. 1.

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[1] Nebraska Constitution of 1866, Article XI, Section 4, 1866

[results-2] 1 2 Addison E. Sheldon, ed. (December 1918). The Nebraska Blue Book and Historical Register. Nebraska Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 439. Retrieved May 13, 2023.

[3] Harrison Johnson (1880). History of Nebraska. Henry Gibson Herald Printing House. p. 52.

[4] 14 Stat. 820

[5] Morton, Julius Sterling (1913). Illustrated History of Nebraska: A History of Nebraska from the Earliest Explorations of the Trans-Mississippi Region, with Steel Engravings, Photogravures, Copper Plates, Maps, and Tables. J. North. p. 1.

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