1802 North Carolina gubernatorial election

The 1802 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 20, 1802, in order to elect the Governor of North Carolina. Democratic-Republican candidate and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 3rd district John Baptista Ashe was elected by the North Carolina General Assembly against Federalist candidate and former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives William Polk and Democratic-Republican candidate Joseph Taylor.

General election

On election day, November 20, 1802, Democratic-Republican candidate John Baptista Ashe was elected by the North Carolina General Assembly by a margin of 54 votes against his foremost opponent Federalist candidate William Polk, thereby gaining Democratic-Republican control over the office of Governor. Ashe was set to be sworn in as the 12th Governor of North Carolina on December 6, 1802, but died on November 27, 1802, resulting in a special election to be held on December 4 in order to replace him.