ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--A PENDING BILL IN ALBANY COULD BRING CHANGES TO VOTER REGISTRATION.  

IT’S CALLED THE ENHANCED AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION bill.  
 
THE LEGISLATION WOULD PROVIDE FOR AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION FOR PEOPLES APPLYING FOR CERTAIN DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES DOCUMENTATION AND MEDICAID ENROLLEES.  
 
VOTERS WOULD BE GIVEN THE opportunity TO DECLINE OR OPT OUT OF THE REGISTRATION, BUT THE DEFAULT WOULD KEEP ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN ORDER TO MAXIMIZE VOTING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION.  
 
SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WORRY ABOUT THIS KIND OF MANDATE.  
 
“To mandate it and require that person be registered vote, maybe they don’t want to be registered to vote. To make it that mandatory rather than optional, I have a concern with,” said Sen. Tom O’Mara (R-Big Flats).
 
WHILE SOME DEMOCRATS SAid IMPROVING THE AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM IS A WAY TO IMPROVE VOTER PARTICIPATION IN THE STATE.  
 
THE BILL PASSED THE SENATE Wednesday evening around 4:30 p.m. IT NOW GOES TO THE ASSEMBLY.