Since 1972, Bass River Township has been governed under the Walsh Act by a three-member commission. The township is one of 30 municipalities (of the 565) statewide that use the commission form of government. The governing body is comprised of three commissioners, who are elected at-large in non-partisan elections held every four years as part of the May municipal election to serve four-year terms of office on a concurrent basis. Each of the Commissioners is appointed to serve as the head of a designated department. The commissioners choose a mayor, who presides over meetings but has no executive role.