The 1839 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was the closest governor's race in United States history. Marcus Morton was certified winner, receiving exactly half the votes cast. Under Massachusetts law at the time, a majority of the votes cast was required to win. Despite the presence of some irregularities, incumbent Whig Governor Edward Everett refused to contest the results once a legislative committee dominated by his party accepted a report giving Morton 51,034 votes out of 102,066 cast.