I spent many years checking other peoples designs and then even more years in customer support debugging peoples computer programs.

A few mistakes are due entirely to the stupidity of the person making them. But MOST mistakes are created by confusing environments and/or instructions.

In this case the mistakes were CREATED by a confusing form layout. Now I think this was much more likely due to lack of experience on the part of the designers than to any ulterior motive. (If an ulterior motive was involved the layout would have been much more subtle)

The logic used by those who punched For Buchanan in place of Gore went as follows... "I punched the FIRST hole that aligned with Al Gore's name"

The logic for those who punced twice was exactly the same - until they thought about it - Then they thought "No this hole is right in the middle of Gore's name so THIS must be the one" and they punched again.

Others who asked officials for help, received none because the officials didn't know either.

DougR, I suppose calling them 'dumbos' because they reacted differently than you would have to a confusing situation makes you feel very superior.

Bert.