Greg Clark: Money an issue -- no matter who votes

“I couldn't even tell you the last time we had a contested write-in race in a school district”

No signs, no ballots, no election muss.

Voters interested in Tuesday's Blue Springs, Independence and Center school district elections -- among others -- can stay home and relax.

Yet each of those districts had seats up for grab this year. Thing is, only one person sought out each seat. Under that circumstance, a law enacted in 2003 excuses the districts from the hassle -- and cost -- of a formal election.

Not so for cities such as Lake Tapawingo, Levasy and Lone Jack. They have no exemption, so they still have to go to the trouble and expense -- often more than a thousand dollars -- of formally electing unopposed candidates. Read more