Campaign Diaries: Directing the Durham Vote Mike Ashe says most people think you just set up an election and count the votes. But as director of the County Board of Elections in Durham, N.C., Ashe knows there's much more to pulling off a successful contest. He shares his insights on the ins and outs of ensuring a fair and efficient vote in NPR's latest Campaign Diary.

Campaign Diaries: Directing the Durham Vote

County Elections Chief Shares Insights on Running a Fair Contest

Campaign Diaries: Directing the Durham Vote

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Mike Ashe, director of the County Board of Elections in Durham, N.C. James Todd for NPR hide caption

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James Todd for NPR

Mike Ashe says most people think you just set up an election and count the votes. But as director of the County Board of Elections in Durham, N.C., Ashe knows there's much more to pulling off a successful contest. There are voting machines to test and maintain, ballots to edit and review, polling station volunteers to recruit.

Ashe says his job isn't about getting people to vote -- he's there to provide a fair and efficient election and certify the results. As part of NPR's Campaign Diaries series, Ashe shares his insights on the ins and outs of directing an election with independent producer James Todd.