It is not the fragility of advanced age but the solid buildup of card paper under the punch area making it impossible to make any more than a dent. That explains why other areas are punched out clearly. Molly Ivins is the first to mention this factor in the punch ballot method. She says it is old knowledge to veteran election workers. It is no surprise that the largely Republican counties had upgraded to more foolproof systems.
Double votes are easy to figure.
If one hole is for either Gore or Bush then one can assume that the minor candidate would be a mistake. It's not too likely that double votes would be for both Gore and Bush. I guess it would be just too dangerous for the public to know just how thoroughly we have been cheated. Bush does not want us to know the full count. Our readers talk back.