The Feds via HAVA basically paid the states to upgrade their voting tech to electronic voting machines. Like much legislation HAVA provided a free cash flow bonanza to Diebold, in the first two to three years after HAVA was implemented. Plus the arrogance, which many large corps. exhibit, made Diebold think that since they had “experience” in the election industry through their minority interest in a Brazilian voting machine provider coupled with their ATM technology that it was an “ideal” fit.
Needless to say around 2006 it became a PR albatross for the company and was no longer the free cash flow pipeline it had been in earlier years, so they put it up for sale. It wasn’t until 2009 that Diebold sold the division to a current election player, ES&S.
The Fed dictated the certification process of voting equipment for states that used HAVA to upgrade their systems, so allowing taxpayers access, as you laid out, should follow. But until Trump in 2020 election integrity was not high on the DS swamp nor citizens radar so prior election integrity inquiries were probably given the customary thanks you we will look into circular file response.
thanx for that ..