The voters' decision on the Champaign County auditor issue puts the pressure on the local Democratic and Republican parties.

The vast majority of Champaign County voters (83.1 percent) didn't bother to cast a ballot in last week's elections. But those who did made it clear they want to retain the elected office of county auditor.

That result disposes of the issue at least as it relates to an appointed versus an elected auditor. The people who pay the bills get to decide, and they have decided.

But the vote does not end the controversy over the auditor's office. It's supposed to be a watchdog of the taxpayer's money, exercising its authority in a nonpartisan fashion on behalf of its No. 1 client the public.

But the unfortunate fact of the matter is that the elected county auditor hasn't been a real watchdog for many years.

It's since devolved into a launching pad for higher office for the ambitious or a resting place for those who want a paycheck without the work that goes along with it.

That needs to change. So it'll be especially important next year for the leaders of both political parties to seek out candidates who are not just qualified for the auditor's post but motivated to play the role that taxpayers have said they want the office to fulfill.

That might be more of a problem for the Democrats than the Republicans.

After he learned that the office he so discredited had been spared by the voters, incumbent Auditor Toni Fabri indicated that he might be a candidate for re-election. That's understandable. Who would want a mere four-year vacation when you could have an eight-year sojourn?

But Democrats need to go in a different direction. Fabri had his chance and showed, by his poor attendance at the office, that he's not up to the job. Someone else needs to step up, even if it means a primary fight.

As for the Republicans, the next election has the potential of providing them a golden opportunity to win back a post they lost decades ago. But they, too, bear the burden of recruiting wisely.

If the county is to have an elected auditor and the voters insist we must that individual must not only possess the professional credentials for the job but also the stomach to identify questionable spending, no matter which political party is responsible. Voters need a watchdog, not a watchdog who needs a watchdog.