 The legislative powers of the township are exercised by the Township Council.In September 2010, the township council voted to shift the township's non-partisan elections from May to November, citing increased voter participation and prospective savings of $30,000 associated with supporting each election, with the first November election taking place in 2012.

, the Mayor of Mahwah is John Roth, who was elected to replace William Laforet and serve the balance of the term of office ending December 31, 2020.Mayor Roth was elected in November 2018 following a recall of the former mayor.