Benjamin F. Conley (Acting) Republican James Milton Smith Democratic The 1871 Georgia gubernatorial special election was held on 19 December 1871 in order to elect the Governor of Georgia following the resignation of Governor Rufus Bullock.

Democratic nominee and incumbent Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives James Milton Smith ran unopposed and thus won the election.

[1] On election day, 19 December 1871, Democratic nominee James Milton Smith won the election with 99.73% of the vote, thereby gaining Democratic control over the office of Governor.

Smith was sworn in as the 48th Governor of Georgia on 12 January 1872.

[2]