Business

Diebold may see recount

The Department of Justice could vote down an already-completed merger of the two biggest makers of voting machines.

The Justice Department, Florida and 13 other states have opened investigations into the September marriage between Election Systems & Software and Diebold’s Premier Election Solutions, which played a controversial role in the 2004 presidential election, according to a source with direct knowledge of the process.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is planning to hold hearings on the matter next month, the source said.

Even though the merger gave ES&S a whopping 70 percent of the voting-machine market share, the $5 million deal was too small to require government approval.

Now, the Justice Department is looking into the matter and next month could file a suit to unwind the deal, the source said.

Critics are concerned ES&S will raise prices for voting machines, and will have little incentive to improve their products. That, they said, would make it more difficult for states and cities to run efficient elections.

Voter protection groups also have concerns, the source said.

Former Diebold CEO Walden O’Dell quit the company amid reports that he had deep ties to President George W. Bush, adding to questions already being asked about the reliability of Diebold voting machines in Ohio during the 2004 presidential election.

Connecticut uses Diebold machines. New York uses Diebold rival Dominion/Sequoia Voting System.

A Diebold spokesman confirmed the Ohio ATM maker was cooperating with a Justice Department investigation.

A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment, and ES&S and Schumer’s office did not return calls.

josh.kosman@nypost.com