Avon-by-the-Sea has governed under the Walsh Act since 1919. The borough 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 on a non-partisan basis as part of the November general election to serve four-year terms of office on a concurrent basis. At a reorganization meeting after each election, each commissioner is assigned a department to administer and oversee; one of the commissioners is chosen to serve as mayor.