| Election Name: | 1840 South Carolina gubernatorial election |
| Country: | South Carolina |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1838 South Carolina gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1838 |
| Next Election: | 1842 South Carolina gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1842 |
| Election Date: | 9 December 1840 |
| Nominee1: | John Peter Richardson II |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Barnabas Kelet Henagan (Acting) |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | John Peter Richardson II |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1840 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on 9 December 1840 in order to elect the Governor of South Carolina. Democratic candidate and former member of the United States House of Representatives from South Carolina's 8th district John Peter Richardson II was elected by the South Carolina General Assembly as he ran unopposed. The exact number of votes cast in this election is unknown.[1]
On election day, 9 December 1840, Democratic candidate John Peter Richardson II was elected by the South Carolina General Assembly, thereby retaining Democratic control over the office of Governor. Richardson was sworn in as the 59th Governor of South Carolina on 3 January 1841.[2]