New Jersey Weekly: Aug. 28, 2026

Special Edition: How does municipal government work in Essex County and New Jersey

New Jersey’s 564 municipal governments are responsible for providing local public services to their residents. 

Municipal government in New Jersey can take 12 different forms, and Essex County’s 22 municipalities are incorporated under eight of those forms. Elected councils govern each, and many publicly elect a mayor. But they all perform the same primary function: levying local taxes and overseeing the municipal services they fund. 

The Jersey Bee produced this explainer about municipal government in Essex County and New Jersey to help residents understand the structure and responsibilities of their local elected officials and municipal agencies.

Read The Jersey Bee’s explainer on municipal government here.

Special Edition: How municipal zoning and planning work in New Jersey

Zoning and planning boards determine how New Jersey cities and towns build – from building height, where houses, schools, or other things can be built, and even how stormwater is handled.

But cities and towns may have hundreds of zoning regulations and each municipality has its own set of rules.

The Jersey Bee produced this guide to help you understand the basics of zoning and planning, how land use rules are developed and enforced, and where residents can share input to shape building and development in their community.

Read The Jersey Bee’s guide on zoning and planning boards here.

Special Edition: How to access public meetings of local government board

The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) was signed into law in 1975 to give the public the right to join, watch, and take part in official meetings of public bodies like town councils, boards of education, and zoning or planning boards.

Also known as New Jersey’s “Sunshine Law,” OPMA requires public bodies to tell the public about meetings ahead of time, share what they’ll be talking about with agendas, and report what happened at previous meetings with minutes. 

OPMA applies to state, county, and municipal public bodies and agencies.

In Essex County, at least 100 public bodies are required to follow the OPMA and ensure the public’s right to participate in their meetings. 

Read The Jersey Bee’s guide on how to access public meetings here.

Special Edition: How local political party committees impact local elections

Between 12,000 and 25,000 New Jersey residents serve on Democratic or Republican county committees that influence local government. These volunteer members are elected by party members and coordinate the party’s operations in the area, endorse candidates, and engage residents.

Read The Jersey Bee’s explainer on local party committees here.