Voting for incumbents

As it happens from time to time, only incumbents are seeking to fill three vacancies on the Cape Girardeau City Council. But an election will be held anyway. Other governmental bodies, including school boards, have been exempted from holding elections when there are no races. Extending that option to cities would be just as sensible.

Another aspect of Cape Girardeau's council races could stand a closer look: the ward system. It was set up to encourage more candidates, but the trend has been just the opposite. Would citywide races make for better elections?