Far-left New Mexico Democrat Teresa Leger Fernandez is drawing sharp criticism after making what many are calling an insane claim about voter ID laws, asserting that Republicans support voter identification requirements because “they don’t want women to vote… they don’t want working families to vote.”
The comment, which circulated widely on social media this week, immediately sparked backlash from critics who say the statement is not only inflammatory but deeply patronizing. The underlying implication, they argue, is that women and working families are somehow incapable of obtaining or presenting a government-issued ID — a requirement that already exists for countless everyday activities.
In New Mexico, that message appears to be wildly out of step with voters. A KOB 4 poll published February 4, 2026, found that 93% of New Mexicans support requiring voter ID. That level of agreement cuts across demographic and partisan lines, making the issue one of the least controversial election integrity measures in the state.
National data mirrors that overwhelming support.
According to the Pew Research Center, 83% of Americans favor requiring all voters to show a government-issued photo ID to vote. That includes 95% of Republicans and 71% of Democrats. Just 16% oppose such requirements.
Similarly, Gallup reports that 84% of Americans support photo ID requirements, including 98% of Republicans, 84% of independents, and 67% of Democrats. In a separate question, 83% said they support requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote for the first time.
Even mainstream media outlets have acknowledged the broad consensus. CNN’s Harry Enten recently stated, “The bottom line is this: Voter ID is NOT controversial in this country. A photo ID to vote is NOT controversial in this country. It is not controversial by party and it is not controversial by race. The vast majority of Americans agree.” NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas similarly noted that while voter ID enjoys wide public support, most Democrats on Capitol Hill continue to oppose it.
Globally, voter identification is hardly unusual. Countries like Mexico require robust voter ID systems. Mexico instituted a secure voter credential following election controversies in the 1990s to strengthen public trust in elections. Today, Mexico’s voter ID card is considered one of the most secure forms of identification in the country and is widely accepted for banking and official transactions.
The United States has identification requirements for boarding airplanes, purchasing alcohol, entering federal buildings, and countless other routine activities. Critics argue it strains credibility to suggest that requiring ID to vote — arguably one of the most important civic acts — is somehow discriminatory.
Supporters also point to federal proposals like the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act), which aims to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote in federal elections by requiring documentary proof of citizenship. Proponents say the measure strengthens election integrity and public confidence without restricting lawful voters.
The broader debate raises a pointed question: If over 80% — and in New Mexico’s case, over 90% — of voters support voter ID, why are Democratic leaders framing it as voter suppression?
Critics of Leger Fernandez argue her comments insult the very constituencies she claims to defend. Women, working parents, and minority voters across New Mexico routinely present ID to cash checks, pick up prescriptions, or verify identity for employment. To suggest they cannot do the same at a polling place, opponents say, is not advocacy — it is condescension.
As voter ID continues to receive overwhelming bipartisan support nationwide, statements like these may resonate more in Washington activist circles than with everyday New Mexicans who overwhelmingly favor commonsense election safeguards.