Question 1: Abolish a Ghost Office
The only statewide certified measure asks voters to amend the state constitution to eliminate the office of Register of Probate. This might sound like a technicality, and in many ways, it is. The office has
been on the books since 1784 but has had no actual duties since 2011, when state court reorganization transferred its functions to the judicial branch. Yet, the position remains a publicly elected—and paid—county-level role.A 'yes' vote on this measure supports scrubbing the now-obsolete office from the state constitution, formally aligning the document with the practical reality. A 'no' vote would oppose the change, keeping the Register of Probate as a constitutionally recognized, elected county office, even without any statutory responsibilities.
Why Is This on the Ballot Now?
This isn't the first attempt to get rid of this vestigial role. Lawmakers have tried to eliminate it before, arguing it creates voter confusion and wastes taxpayer money on a position with no function. In fact, a nearly identical measure was on the ballot in 2022. That year, it received almost 63% of the vote. While that sounds like a decisive victory, constitutional amendments in New Hampshire require a two-thirds majority—or 66.67%—to pass, so the measure narrowly failed.This time, the proposal passed the state legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support (325-15 in the House and 23-1 in the Senate), sending it back to the voters for another try. Proponents frame it as a common-sense 'constitutional cleanup' measure to remove a historical artifact that no longer serves a purpose. There is little organized opposition, as the primary argument against it in the past has been a general reluctance to alter the state's founding documents.
What About Other Potential Measures?
While only one question is certified for a statewide vote, voters in different towns and cities may see another significant question on their local ballots regarding property taxes. A new state law allows municipalities to place a measure on their local ballot to cap the growth of school district property taxes. If it appears on a local ballot, a 'yes' vote would support limiting tax growth for the local school district for two years.This measure is not a statewide constitutional amendment but a local option stemming from a compromise bill in the legislature aimed at addressing high property taxes. The specific language and presence of this question will vary by municipality, so voters will need to check their local sample ballot to see if it applies to them. Another proposed amendment, which would have required a two-thirds legislative vote for any new broad-based tax, did not make it onto the 2026 ballot.
