Walsh Act

The Walsh Act is legislation in the U.S. state of New Jersey that permits municipalities to adopt a non-partisan commission form of government. The legislation was signed by Governor of New Jersey Woodrow Wilson on April 25, 1911. The commissions in Walsh Act municipalities are composed of either three or five members elected for four-year concurrent terms. The commissioners also serve as department heads in addition to their legislative functions. The commissioners elect one commissioner as mayor, however the mayor is only responsible for his or her departments and serves as the chair of the commission.

The Walsh Act was modeled on the commission system that was set up in Galveston, Texas in the wake of the devastating Hurricane of 1900. As part of its reconstruction efforts, the city reorganized itself to a government system in which each elected official had a specific area of responsibility, combining executive and legislative responsibilities. The Walsh Act was enacted in 1911, and specified that commissioners would be elected at large in nonpartisan elections, and would serve four-year, concurrent terms of office. The Walsh Act was the first charter law in New Jersey to include options for ballot initiatives, referendums and recall.^[1]

Municipalities that have a five member commission

These communities have five commissioners:

• Commissioner of Public Affairs
• Commissioner of Public Safety
• Commissioner of Public Works
• Commissioner of Parks and Public Property
• Commissioner of Revenue and Finance

Municipalities that have a three member commission

These communities have three commissioners:

• Commissioner of Public Affairs and Public Safety
• Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and Public Property
• Commissioner of Revenue and Finance

See also

• 1923 Municipal Manager Law

References

External links

• The Commission Form of Municipal Government (PDF)
• A History of Municipal Government in New Jersey Since 1798 (PDF)