Hampshire County, Massachusetts

Register of Probate, Hampshire County

One candidate is tracked for Register of Probate, Hampshire County on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Mark Smith Ames. Candidate information follows official Hampshire County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

The only certified candidate in either party.

What this office does

Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.

This race. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

Massachusetts › Hampshire County › Register of Probate, Hampshire County

Mark Smith Ames

Democratic

Biography

Mark Smith Ames has worked at the Hampshire Probate and Family Court for 27 years, managing mediation and conciliation programs that help families reach legal agreements, per the Daily Hampshire Gazette. He was recommended by Gov. Healey for appointment as Register and is currently serving as temporary register, where he has established a Lawyer for a Day program, helped create the court's Belchertown satellite office, and secured grant funding to digitize historical court documents dating from 1660 to 1890. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.

Next on your ballotMassachusetts Senate, Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire District

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Register of Probate, Hampshire County in 2026?

When is the Register of Probate, Hampshire County election in Massachusetts?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Massachusetts are on the Massachusetts election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Hampshire County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Hampshire County and state election office filings, last verified October 3, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Massachusetts election office, or see the full Hampshire County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Hampshire County ballot

15 tracked races in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Massachusetts Senate, Hampden and Hampshire District Massachusetts Senate, Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester District Massachusetts Senate, Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester District See all 15 Hampshire County races

Candidate profiles

Mark Smith Ames, full profile Official Massachusetts election office