The mayor has the duty to enforce the municipal charter and ordinances; prepare the annual budget; appoint deputy mayors, department heads, and aides; and approve or veto ordinances passed by the City Council.

Dudley S. Gregory was the inaugural mayor of the city, and served on three separate occasions for a total of five years.

Like all mayors under the [2] 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 bonds requiring the approval of the city; negotiate all contracts; and serve as a member, either voting or ex-officio, of all appointive bodies.

[6] This form provided for a five-member commission with both executive and legislative powers elected for four years.

Jersey City adopted its current mayor-council form of government under the Faulkner Act on May 7, 1961.

[7] Under the non-partisan form of municipal government, elections for mayor are held every four years on the second Tuesday in May.

[13] The office was left vacant for 47 days in 1963 when the City Council failed to reach a decision on appointing an interim mayor.