New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing online backlash after urging residents to sign up as emergency snow shovelers, a paid position that requires two forms of identification, while his political allies oppose voter ID laws.
As the city braces for its second major snowstorm of the season, Mamdani encouraged New Yorkers to report to local sanitation garages to help clear streets and sidewalks for $19.14 per hour. Overtime pay rises to $28.71 per hour after 40 hours in a week.
“Just show up at your local sanitation garage between 8am and 1pm tomorrow with your paperwork… and you can get started right away,” Mamdani said during a press conference.
According to the city’s registration guidelines, applicants must be at least 18, eligible to work in the U.S., and capable of heavy physical labor. They must also provide two small photos, two original forms of ID, and a Social Security card.
Critics quickly seized on the ID requirement, pointing out that New York does not require voters to present photo identification at polling stations.
New York voters must be 18, U.S. citizens, and residents of the state. During registration, individuals are asked to provide a driver’s license number, state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. If identity cannot be confirmed, voters may be required to show ID when voting.
The controversy intensified because Mamdani is affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America, which has publicly opposed voter ID legislation such as the SAVE America Act. The group has argued that such laws are restrictive and discriminatory.
On social media, critics framed the issue as hypocrisy.
Some users questioned why identification is required to shovel snow but not universally mandated to vote. Others argued the comparison is misleading, noting that employment verification rules are governed by federal labor and payroll requirements, while voting laws are established under separate constitutional and state frameworks.
Supporters of the mayor contend that requiring ID for paid emergency work is standard procedure. Employers must verify identity and work eligibility under federal law before issuing payment, per the Daily Mail.
The debate comes as New York prepares for heavy snowfall and potential blizzard conditions. Mamdani said the city has mobilized sanitation vans and buses to transport shovelers to high-need areas.
The mayor has also faced criticism in recent weeks over sanitation issues in parts of the city. Opponents argue that operational missteps have compounded frustration ahead of the storm.
For now, the dispute remains largely political, with critics drawing contrasts between labor documentation rules and election law policy.
Whether the controversy has a lasting impact may depend less on snow shoveling and more on how Mamdani navigates broader debates over governance consistency and public trust.
