[20] Alpha was incorporated as a borough from portions of Pohatcong Township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature passed on June 26, 1911, and signed by Governor Woodrow Wilson, based on the results of a referendum held on May 31, 1911.

[22] Formally known as Vulcanite, Alpha was incorporated on June 26, 1911, but its history can be traced back to a much earlier date.

One of the first homes in the community was a two-room log cabin constructed by the Pursel family beside an old Indian Trail on the former property of the Vulcanite Portland Cement Company, now New Brunswick Avenue.

[23] Less than two years after incorporating, the community obtained a continuation of the streetcar line from Phillipsburg and electric street lights were installed.

[1][2] Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Vulcanite.

The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council.

[36][37] As of 2022[update], the mayor of Alpha Borough is Republican Craig S. Dunwell, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023.

Members of the Alpha Borough Council are Council President Robert J. Melick Jr. (R, 2023), Angela Bickar (I, 2022; elected to serve an unexpired term), Louis J. Cartabona (R, 2023), Todd W. Pantuso (R, 2022), Peter Petinelli (R, 2024) and Jodie Smith (R, 2024).

[3][38][39][40][41] Angela Bickar was elected to fill the seat expiring in December 2022 that had been held by Edward Hanics Jr.[39] Republican councilmember Jack Preiss and Democrat Kathleen Ronan, both serving terms ending in December 2018, resigned from office in September 2016.

[42] In October, the council selected Jennifer Gable from a list of three nominees submitted by the Democratic municipal committee to fill Ronan's vacant seat.

[45][46] Zikas announced his resignation from office in September 2014, citing his acceptance of a job in Northern New Jersey.

[47] With Mayor Ed Hanics casting the tiebreaking vote, Tracy Grossman was selected in October 2014 to fill the remainder of Zikas's term of office.

[48] In January 2014, the borough council selected Millard Rooks to fill the vacant seat expiring in December 2015 of Michael Savary, who had resigned after pleading guilty to disorderly tampering with public records.

[51][52][53] Prior to the 2010 Census, Alpha had been part of the 5th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.

[54] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 7th congressional district is represented by Thomas Kean Jr. (R, Westfield).

[61][62] Constitutional officers of Warren County are: Clerk Holly Mackey (R, Alpha; 2027),[63][64] Sheriff James McDonald Sr. (R, Phillipsburg; 2025)[65][66] and Surrogate Michael J. Doherty (R, Washington; 2025).

[70] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 60.8% (vs. 62.3% in Warren County) were registered to vote, including 78.7% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 81.5% countywide).

While Interstate 78 passes through the southern portion of the borough, the closest access point is at US 22 in neighboring Pohatcong.