Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey

The City of Jersey City is organized as a mayor–council government under the Faulkner Act. This provides for a citywide elected mayor serving in an executive role and a Municipal Council serving in a legislative role. All of these offices are selected in a nonpartisan municipal election, and all terms are four years.^[1]

Under state law, the mayor has the duty to enforce the charter and ordinances of the city and all applicable state laws; report annually to the council and the public on the state of the city; supervise and control all departments of the government; prepare and submit to the council annual operating and capital budgets; supervise all city property, institutions, and agencies; sign all contracts and municipal bonds requiring the approval of the city; negotiate all contracts; and serve as a member, either voting or ex officio, of all appointive bodies.^[2]

The mayor has the power to appoint department heads with the Municipal Council's approval and can remove department heads, subject to a two-thirds disapproval by the council. The mayor may also approve or veto ordinances, subject to an override vote of two-thirds of the council, and appoint deputy mayors. The mayor is permitted to attend and participate in Municipal Council meetings without a vote, except in the case of a tie on the question to fill a council vacancy.^[2]

Under the original 1838 charter, mayors were elected citywide for a one-year term. In 1868, the New Jersey Legislature extended the term of office to two years.^[3] In 1892, the legislature again changed the term to five years.^[4] The city adopted a commission form of government under the Walsh Act in 1913.^[5] This form provided for a five-member commission with both executive and legislative powers, elected for four years. The commissioners elected one of their members as mayor. Under this system, the mayor's only specific power was to appoint the school board; otherwise, he was first among equals. Jersey City adopted its current mayor-council form of government on May 7, 1961.^[6]

Elections for mayor are held every four years on the date of the general election, which is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.^[7] If no candidate receives a majority of votes, a runoff election is held on the fourth Tuesday following the general election.^[8] The term of office commences on January 15.^[9] The latest Jersey City mayoral election was held in 2025.^[10]

If the mayor is absent, disabled, or otherwise prevented from performing their duties, the mayor may designate the business administrator or any other department head as acting mayor for up to 60 days.^[2] In the event of a vacancy, the President of the Municipal Council becomes acting mayor, and the council has 30 days to name an interim mayor.^[11] If no interim mayor is named, the Council President continues as acting mayor until a successor is elected or the council reorganizes and selects a new president.^[11] Prior to 1971, there was no automatic succession law.^[12] The office was left vacant for 47 days in 1963 when the city council failed to reach a decision on appointing an interim mayor.^[13]

The following is a list of higher public offices held by mayors, before or after their mayoral terms.

• Timeline of Jersey City, New Jersey