The governing body consists of a mayor and a borough council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election.
A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office.
[1] The borough form of government used by Rumson, 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 two-thirds majority vote of the council.
17 people have served as mayor, one twice; the table includes this non-consecutive term as well.