The township is governed by a three-member board of trustees, who are elected in November of odd-numbered years to a four-year term beginning on the following January 1. Two are elected in the year after the presidential election and one is elected in the year before it. There is also an elected township fiscal officer,[5] who serves a four-year term beginning on April 1 of the year after the election, which is held in November of the year before the presidential election. Vacancies in the fiscal officership or on the board of trustees are filled by the remaining trustees.
Transportation
U.S. Route 24 travels from east to west through the northwestern corner of Defiance Township. Other significant roads in the township include:[6]
State Route 15, which travels from north to south near the eastern edge of the township
State Route 66, which travels from north to south through the eastern half of the township
State Route 111, which travels from northeast to southwest along the Auglaize River through the center of the township
State Route 424, which travels along the southern side of the Maumee River through the center of the township after breaking off from U.S. Route 24 in the township's west