Form of Government

Seaside Heights is governed under the "borough" form of New Jersey municipal government. The governing body consists of a mayor and a borough council comprised of 6 council members, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis during the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a 4-year term of office. The borough council members are elected to serve 3-year terms on a staggered basis, with 2 seats coming up for election each year in a 3-year cycle. The borough form of government used by Seaside Heights, the most common system used in the state, is a "weak mayor/strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a 2/3 majority vote of the council. Although the borough council is not involved in the day-to-day operations of the administration, the council acts as an oversight body and makes committee and liaison assignments among its members. Most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.

The Borough of Seaside Heights has exercised its statutory option of hiring a professional municipal administrator to oversee the day-to-day operations of the administration.