1962 Minnesota gubernatorial election

{{Short description|none}}

{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 1962 Minnesota gubernatorial election

| country = Minnesota

| flag_year = 1957

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| previous_election = 1960 Minnesota gubernatorial election

| previous_year = 1960

| next_election = 1966 Minnesota gubernatorial election

| next_year = 1966

| election_date = November 6, 1962

| image_size = 150x150px

| image1 = File:Karl Rolvaag.jpg

| nominee1 = Karl Rolvaag

| party1 = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party

| popular_vote1 = 619,842

| percentage1 = 49.713%

| image2 = File:Elmer L. Andersen.jpg

| nominee2 = Elmer Andersen

| party2 = Republican Party (United States)

| popular_vote2 = 619,751

| percentage2 = 49.706%

| map_image = 1962 Minnesota gubernatorial election results map by county.svg

| map_size = 280px

| map_caption = County results

Rolvaag: {{legend0|#A5B0FF|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}

Andersen: {{legend0|#FFB2B2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#E27F7F|50–60%}} {{legend0|#D75D5D |60–70%}}

| title = Governor

| before_election = Elmer Andersen

| before_party = Republican Party of Minnesota

| after_election = Karl Rolvaag

| after_party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party

}}

{{ElectionsMN}}

The 1962 Minnesota gubernatorial election was the closest statewide race in Minnesota history and one of the closest gubernatorial elections in U.S. history. The election was held on November 6, 1962, but the results were not known until March 21, 1963. The vote count after election day had Governor Elmer L. Andersen in the lead by 142 votes. Then-Lieutenant Governor Karl Rolvaag went to court and won the right to a recount.{{cite news |last1=Gillmore |first1=Susan |title=Minnesota had an even closer race in ’62 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/minnesota-had-an-even-closer-race-in-62/ |access-date=19 September 2018 |work=The Seattle Times |date=13 January 2005}} After the recount, it was determined that Rolvaag had defeated Andersen by 91 votes out of over 1.2 million cast. He received 619,842 votes to Andersen's 619,751.

At the time, governors and lieutenant governors were elected on separate ballots. Andersen was a Republican and Rolvaag a Democrat. The 1962 election was also the first four-year term election for Minnesota governor.