New Hampshire voters rejected a constitutional amendment to eliminate the register of probate for the second time in four years, preliminary results show.

About 64.7% of voters supported abolishing the position, with 96% of ballots counted, according to the New Hampshire Bulletin, citing Associated Press figures.

That fell short of the 66.67% supermajority the state constitution requires.

The result means New Hampshire will continue electing registers of probate in all 10 counties every two years, even though the position no longer carries its former court administration responsibilities.

Each register receives an annual salary of $100.

Sullivan County voters faced both questions

The issue appeared on Sullivan County ballots alongside a contested election for register of probate.

Republican incumbent Rodd Ward of Newport faced Democrat Loren David Howard of Claremont, according to Sullivan County's 2026 ballot listings.

That meant local voters could select a candidate for the office while also deciding whether the position should continue to exist.

The constitutional amendment appeared statewide as Ballot Question 1. It asked voters whether they supported removing the register of probate from Articles 71 and 81 of the New Hampshire Constitution.

Approval would have eliminated the office rather than transferring its responsibilities to another elected official.

Why the office still exists

Registers of probate once performed administrative work for county probate courts, which handle matters involving wills, estates and trusts.

In 2011, New Hampshire reorganized its court system and transferred the registers' routine administrative responsibilities to other court personnel.

The office remained in the state constitution, however, requiring counties to continue electing registers.

Because the position is constitutionally established, the Legislature cannot eliminate it through ordinary legislation.

Lawmakers instead must propose a constitutional amendment and secure approval from at least two-thirds of voters casting ballots on the question.

The 2026 proposal, known as CACR 13, received overwhelming support in the Legislature. The House approved it 325-15, and the Senate voted 23-1, according to the New Hampshire secretary of state's election materials.

That bipartisan legislative support did not produce the required majority at the polls.

Second attempt falls short

New Hampshire voters considered a similar amendment in 2022.

That proposal received approximately 63% support but failed to reach the constitutional threshold.

The 2026 result was slightly stronger, with nearly 65% voting in favor of elimination. It still fell short of the required two-thirds.

The amendment's wording explained the proposed constitutional changes in detail, including revisions to the articles governing elected county offices.

Although the question explicitly asked whether to eliminate the register of probate, the proposed replacement language did not name the office. The change would have removed its references from the constitution.

The ballot wording and the history of the position were explained before the election by Citizens Count.

For Sullivan County, the preliminary statewide result means the elected register of probate position will remain in place.

Statewide results are preliminary pending official certification.