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Rep. Corey Malloy defends bill requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to vote, criticizes SB 54
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Summary
State Rep. Corey Malloy (House District 52) described an election bill he sponsored requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for state voting rolls, defended a 'cure' process for ambiguous records and criticized SB 54 and signature-path rules for reducing party choice in candidate selection.
State Representative Corey Malloy (House District 52) said he sponsored an elections bill to require proof of U.S. citizenship for state voting, arguing the measure protects the integrity of state elections while retaining a process for people to cure ambiguous records.
"The bill I ran does not stop that process, does not get in the way, and it encourages that process," Malloy said, adding that committee exchanges with Sen. Derek Brammer highlighted unresolved questions about how many unclear records would amount to a systemic problem. Malloy told listeners the bill includes a 'cure' process allowing people to produce documents to confirm citizenship.
Malloy said opponents, including local civic groups named in the interview, incorrectly characterized the legislation as broadly disenfranchising lawful immigrants. "They're just repeating lie after lie that is that we're gonna be biased against certain groups from voting," he said, describing those criticisms as false.
Malloy also criticized SB 54, the statute enabling multiple nomination pathways. He called it "the biggest waste of time" and said it reduced party control over candidate selection, recounting his personal experience where a signature-gathering candidate complicated the path after a close convention result.
Why it matters: Malloy framed the bill as protecting the value of naturalization and voters who follow the legal path to citizenship, while opponents argue such measures can suppress participation. Malloy emphasized that even a small number of ineligible votes could matter in close races and that transparency and cure procedures matter to ensure lawful participation.
What remains unclear: Malloy cited an audit referenced by the lieutenant governor and said there were about 500 ambiguous records in one paragraph of a letter; he described broader double-checks but did not provide a definitive, independently verified count of ineligible registrations. The transcript also uses the name "Save Act" for related federal proposals; Malloy said future federal action could require state changes.
