The ad-hoc network includes a plurality of mobile nodes including at least one group of mobile nodes operating as a cluster with a currently elected cluster head node. The mobile nodes include a controller and a wireless communications device cooperating therewith to determine whether the currently elected cluster head node appears inactive and then initiate a token-based cluster head node election based thereon. During the token-based cluster head node election, the cluster mobile nodes generate and transmit tokens having respective token weights, receive tokens from neighboring nodes, selectively retransmit the tokens based upon the token weights, and elect a new cluster head node based upon the token weights.