Driver’s license law still gets thumbs down (NM-70% oppose licenses for illegals)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | February 23, 2015 | Olivier Uyttebrouck

[CedarDave]

New Mexico voters continue their long-standing opposition to a 2003 law that allows the state to issue driver’s licenses to immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally, a new Journal Poll found.

Seven in 10 registered voters surveyed last week said they opposed the law – results that mirror those of earlier Journal Polls.

Respondents were asked: “Do you support or oppose New Mexico’s state law that allows driver’s licenses to be issued to immigrants who are in the country illegally?”

Support is strongest among Democrats, Hispanics and younger voters, the poll showed. But even among those groups, a majority opposed issuing driver’s licenses to foreign nationals who are in the U.S. without authorization.

When New Mexicans weigh whether the state “should give an official document to immigrants who are not here legally, on its face, a lot of people have a gut feeling against that,” he said.

The law was opposed by 91 percent of Republicans, 56 percent of Democrats and 69 percent of independents. The poll was conducted Feb. 17-19.

Repealing the 12-year-old state law has been a priority for Republican Gov. Susana Martinez since she was elected in 2010.

“Republicans nearly universally oppose the current law,” Sanderoff said. “It is of note that even a majority of Democrats oppose the law.”

Among Hispanic voters, 32 percent said they supported the law and 62 percent opposed it. Gender was not a factor in determining opinion.

[LegendHasIt]

Thanks for the ping Dave.
Glad to see a little sanity from our neighbors for a change.