Punched cards and elections brings to mind the name of John McTammany,
player piano pioneer.

When he was ousted from the mechanical music business, he turned his
inventiveness to creating voting machines.  Sadly, there are no details
of them in his player piano books, but seeing that he was a great
proponent of punched paper rolls I would guess that punching bits of
paper or card formed part of these machines.  So, there is a direct
link between the player piano and these recent devices!  I'd be
interested if anyone could turn up details of these McTammany voting
machines.

McTammany later turned his efforts to the temperance movement and
prohibition!  I doubt that perforated paper formed much part in that.

Julian Dyer