The 12-12 vote means New Hampshire is likely to remain the only state in New England where the death penalty is still on the books.
After the vote, backers of repeal say this year’s effort, which was spearheaded by Republicans, show the issue is a bipartisan one.
Democratic State Rep. Renny Cushing pointed to the bills GOP sponsors.
"I thought the leadership that was demonstrated by Senator Avard and Senator Daniels was pretty inspirational, but they are people who have wrestled with the death penalty before and who have evolved in their positions."
Kevin Avard of Nashua Gary Daniels of Milford and Sam Cataldo of were the republicans who voted to repeal the death penalty.
They joined every democrat, save for Lou D’Allesandro of Manchester, who voted to keep it.
Michael Addison is the only person on death row in New Hampshire. He was convicted of killing a Manchester police officer in 2006. New Hampshire’s last execution was in 1939.