The two-thirds replacement of the Androscoggin County Commission, which too often put politics over public service, on Election Day was a mandate from voters to clean up the county’s act.

No more trench warfare over the weakest of issues. No more assertions of political power over public sentiments. And, most important, no more legislating without accountability.

Two veteran public servants were swept from office Tuesday. Connie Cote of Auburn was stepping down; her replacement, Jonathan LaBonte, ran unopposed. (Disclosure: LaBonte is also a weekly columnist for the Sun Journal.)

This was no surprise.

Shock came from the other race, when newcomer Randall Greenwood rode hometown votes from Wales to victory over Chairman Elmer Berry of Greene. The close race was expected; Berry’s defeat was not.

The election has changed the dynamic of Androscoggin County governance and signals that voters demand anything but business as usual from the commission.

The new commissioners should reflect this attitude by supporting a county charter.

It only takes two votes, after all.

Taxpayers and residents of Androscoggin County are not served by having this layer of government, with its $10.2 million budget and myriad responsibilities, in the hands of a part-time, three-person governing board.

This challenged management style is further stymied by the political atmosphere permeating every level of county government, which is unique with its assemblage of elected and appointed positions throughout its hierarchy.

A county charter could review and improve the outdated county structure, turn important positions from elected to appointed, based on merit, and also outline the duties of a day-to-day county administrator or manager.

It could be the platform for driving Androscoggin County into the 21st century in general. The county, inscrutably, still lacks a Web site to transmit information and communicate with the public.

Counties larger and smaller than Androscoggin have gone through the charter process, to their benefit. This county has avoided the scrutiny of its workings for too long. Voters have been complicit. Now, voters want things to change.

Greenwood, LaBonte and incumbent Helen Poulin – who represents Lewiston while living in Auburn – can fulfill this wish by voting for a charter commission, the first step of the charter process.

County voters must also approve the charter commission’s creation. Then, once the commission creates a charter, it goes again to the voters for approval. The earliest this could occur is next November – on Election Day.

It’s a long process, but ultimately worthwhile.

And Androscoggin County needs it to begin. The new commission can make it happen.