The Azores Regional Election (1996) (Portuguese: Eleições Regionais dos Açores, 1996) was an election held on 13 October 1996 for the legislative assembly and government of the Portuguese autonomous region of the Azores in which the Socialist Party, under the leadership of Carlos César, was the first party with 45% of the votes, in comparison to their direct rivals, the Social Democratic Party who won 41%, although both parties were tied in seats with each party winning 24 MPs. Voter turnout was relatively high with just over 59.17% of the electorate casting their ballot on election day.