The 1856 Vermont gubernatorial election for governor of Vermont was held on Tuesday, September 2.[1] In keeping with the "Mountain Rule", incumbent Republican Stephen Royce was not a candidate for a third one-year term.[2] The Republican nomination was won by Ryland Fletcher, the incumbent lieutenant governor.[3] The Democratic nominee was Henry Keyes, a former member of the Vermont House of Representatives and Vermont Senate.[4]
Vermont continued its strong support for abolitionism and Republicans, and Fletcher was easily elected to succeed Royce.[5] Fletcher took the oath of office for a one-year term that began on October 17.[6]