Monmouth County, New Jersey is governed by a board of chosen freeholders, who choose a director from among themselves.
Pursuant to legislation passed in 1709, freeholders sat with the justices of the peace as the Board of Justices and Freeholders; the presiding officer was then known as chairman.
Chairmen of the Board of Justices and Freeholders are included here where records are still extant, as well as whether they were a justice or a freeholder.Legislation passed in 1798 separated the freeholders and justices; at that time the Board of Chosen Freeholders was established.
Before 1906, Monmouth County Freeholders were elected by townships; As a result of a 1905 referendum reducing the membership on the board, from 1906 to the present they have been elected at-large.