Municipal government in Little Egg Harbor Township operates under the “township” form of government. The township form of government is the oldest form of municipal government in New Jersey, having been first established by the Township Act of 1798, which created New Jersey's original 104 townships.
Today, the township form of government is contained in N.J.S.A. 40A:63-1 et seq., also known as the Township Act of 1989. As of January 1, 1995, there were 149 township committees in New Jersey (of 566 municipalities).
The only elected officials under the township committee form of government are the members of the township committee. Little Egg Harbor Township has a five member township committee. The terms of no more than two members expire in the same year and from time to time a single member's term expires in the year.
During the annual reorganization meeting held on January 1st, the township committee selects one member of the township committee to be mayor and preside at its meetings for the year. The mayor under the township form of government has no additional powers or authority except as may be provided by law (e.g., the power to perform marriages).
The Township Committee of Little Egg Harbor Township has, by ordinance, delegated all executive responsibilities of the municipality to the Township Administrator as permitted by state law.