Some April 5 elections will not be on the ballot. There will be no story about Hardin-Central or Orrick boards of education candidates and their views on wearing masks, critical race theory, teacher pay and sexual identity. The same holds true for several area cities, road districts, water districts and Ray County Memorial Hospital. This is because the state does not require putting names on the ballot in uncontested races. State leaders decided there is no sense in paying to print ballots and conduct elections when there is no contest, and thus let local governments opt out of uncontested elections – a good decision from a cost-saving, business perspective. But government is a public service, not a business. Opting out of no-contest elections is not a public service. Noballot elections disguise and encourage a situation that is treacherous for democracy: not enough public interest in running for office and serving others. Good reasons for not running include too little time for…