A Jefferson County commissioner says he now has firsthand knowledge that safeguards against vote fraud are working.

Jim Surkamp cast his ballot in a local zoning referendum on the first day of early voting. He then showed up at his local precinct the following Saturday to request a ballot.

Surkamp says he wasn't trying to vote twice. He says he was responding to concerns some residents had about being required to show driver's licenses in order to vote.

He was recognized at the precinct and denied a second ballot.

Jefferson County Clerk Jennifer Maghan says Surkamp should not have attempted to get a second ballot, regardless of his motives.

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