The Board of Chosen Freeholders is the legislative body in each of the 21 counties in New Jersey. A Freeholder is a legislator on the county level. Official language(s) None, English de facto Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Area  Ranked 47th  - Total 8,729 sq. ... Freehold is a term used in real estate or real property law, land held in fee simple, as opposed to leasehold, which is land which is leased. ...

Overview

New Jersey is the only state in the United States where elected county officials are called "freeholders." Most other states elect a county commission or county council. The term is a carryover from colonial days, when only those who owned a freehold were enfranchised, with one or two "chosen" freeholders representing each municipality within a county. Eventually, the number of freeholders in each county was reduced by statute and is now determined by referendum, and cannot exceed nine members. Fee simple, also known as fee simple absolute or allodial, is a term of art in common law. ...

Depending on the county, the executive and legislative functions may be performed by the Board of Chosen Freeholders or split into separate components. In some counties, members of the Board of Chosen Freeholders perform both legislative and executive functions on a commission basis, with each Freeholder assigned responsibility for a department or group of departments. In other counties (Atlantic, Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Mercer), there is a directly-elected County Executive who performs the executive functions while the Board of Chosen Freeholders retains a legislative and oversight role. In counties without an Executive, a County Administrator or County Manager may be hired to perform day-to-day administration of county functions. Atlantic County is a county located in the state of New Jersey. ... Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. ... Essex County is a county located in the northeastern part of the state of New Jersey. ... The skyline of Jersey City, as seen from Lower New York Bay. ... {{Infobox U.S. CoiirjhtfnEGEYWnfv state = New Jersey | seal = Mc-m f seal. ... A County Executive is the title assigned to a person hired to run the day to day operations of a county. ...

Board Structure by County

• Atlantic County: Nine member elected to staggered three-year terms. Five of the freeholders represent equally-populated districts; four are elected from the county at-large. Popularly elected County Executive.
• Bergen County: Seven members elected at-large to three-year terms on a staggered basis. Popularly elected County Executive.
• Burlington County: Five members elected at-large to three-year terms on a staggered basis. The Freeholder Director is elected annually by the Board.
• Camden County: Seven members elected at-large to three-year terms on a staggered basis.
• Cape May County: Five members elected at-large for three-year terms on a staggered basis. Freeholder Director and Freeholder Deputy Director elected from Board at annual reorganization meeting in January.
• Cumberland County: Seven members elected at-large for three-year terms on a staggered basis. Freeholder Director and Freeholder Deputy Director elected from Board at annual reorganization meeting in January. Appointed County Administrator.
• Essex County: Nine members elected to serve concurrent terms. Five of the freeholders represent districts; four are elected from the county at-large. Freeholder President and Vice-President serve one-year terms. Popularly elected County Executive.
• Gloucester County: Seven members elected at large. Freeholder Director and Freeholder Deputy Director.
• Hudson County: Nine members elected from wards to staggered, three-year terms. Popularly elected County Executive.
• Hunterdon County: Five members elected at large for terms of two to three years on a staggered basis. Freeholder Director and Freeholder Deputy Director elected from Board at annual reorganization meeting in January.
• Mercer County: Seven members elected at-large to three-year terms on a staggered basis. The Board has a Chair and Vice-Chair; these positions are rotated amongst board members each year. Popularly elected County Executive.
• Middlesex County: Seven members elected at-large to three-year terms on a staggered basis. In January of each year, the Board reorganizes, selecting one Freeholder to be Freeholder Director and another to be Freeholder Deputy Director. The Freeholder Director appoints Freeholders to serve as Chairpersons and members on the various committees which oversee county departments.
• Monmouth County: Five members elected at-large for three-year terms. Freeholder Director and Freeholder Deputy Director elected from Board at annual reorganization meeting in January.
• Morris County: Seven members elected at large. Freeholder Director and Freeholder Deputy Director elected from Board at annual reorganization meeting in January.
• Ocean County: Five members elected at-large. Appointed County Administrator.
• Passaic County: Seven members elected at-large for three-year terms. Freeholder Director and Freeholder Deputy Director elected from Board at annual reorganization meeting in January.
• Salem County: Seven members elected at-large to three-year terms on a staggered basis. In January of each year, the Board reorganizes, selecting one Freeholder to be Freeholder Director and another to be Freeholder Deputy Director. Appointed County Administrator.
• Somerset County: Five members elected at-large to three-year terms on a staggered basis. Appointed County Administrator.
• Sussex County: Five members elected at large.
• Union County: Nine members elected at large. Appointed County Manager.
• Warren County: Three members elected at-large for three-year terms on a staggered basis. Freeholder Director and Freeholder Deputy Director elected from Board at annual reorganization meeting in January. Appointed County Administrator.

Atlantic County is a county located in the state of New Jersey. ... Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. ... Location in the state of New Jersey Formed 1694 Seat Mount Holly Area  - Total  - Water 2,122 km² (819 mi²) 38 km² (15 mi²) 1. ... Camden County is a county located in the state of New Jersey. ... Cape May County is a county located in the state of New Jersey. ... Cumberland County is a county located in the state of New Jersey. ... Essex County is a county located in the northeastern part of the state of New Jersey. ... Gloucester County is a county located in the state of New Jersey. ... The skyline of Jersey City, as seen from Lower New York Bay. ... Hunterdon County is a county located in the state of New Jersey. ... {{Infobox U.S. CoiirjhtfnEGEYWnfv state = New Jersey | seal = Mc-m f seal. ... Middlesex County is a county located in the state of New Jersey. ... Monmouth County is a county located in the state of New Jersey. ... Morris County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about 25 mi (40 km) west of New York City. ... Location in the state of New Jersey Formed 1850 Seat Toms River Area  - Total  - Water 2,372 km² (916 mi²) 724 km² (280 mi²) 30. ... Passaic County is a county located in the state of New Jersey. ... Salem County is a county located in the state of New Jersey. ... Somerset County is a county located in the state of New Jersey. ... Sussex County is a county located in the state of New Jersey. ... Union County is a county located in the state of New Jersey. ... Warren County is a county located in the state of New Jersey. ...

Popular impressions

Due to widespread ignorance about what exactly New Jersey freeholders do, a common witticism is to refer to them as "freeloaders," as in "The Board of Chosen Freeloaders." This is not necessarily kind, but it does reflect a persistent public belief that this particular layer of government is redundant and unnecessary. Wit is a form of intellectual humour, based on manipulation of concepts; a wit is someone who excels in witty remarks, typically in conversation and spontaneously, since wit carries the connotation of speed of thought. ... Freeloader or freeloaders can refer to several things: Someone who attempts to get something, usually a service or employment, for nothing, or as little work as possible, usually implying laziness. ...