New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faces criticism for requiring five forms of identification to register as an emergency snow shoveler, while his Democratic Socialists of America chapter opposes voter identification laws as discriminatory.
Extensive Documentation Required for City Work
The NYC Sanitation Department website lists strict requirements for emergency snow shoveler registration. Applicants must provide two passport-sized photos measuring 1 to 1.5 square inches, two original forms of identification plus copies, and a Social Security card. The positions pay $19.14 per hour, increasing to $28.71 after 40 hours weekly. Mamdani urged New Yorkers to report to local sanitation garages with the required paperwork as the city prepares for a major blizzard.
City Hall defended the identification requirements, stating federal law mandates work authorization verification before issuing payment to employees. A spokesperson told reporters the city cannot legally distribute paychecks without completing the proper documentation process. The sanitation department website specifies that all applicants must prove eligibility to work in the United States before receiving compensation for snow removal duties.
Conflict With DSA Position on Voting
The New York chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which counts Mamdani as a member, actively opposes the SAVE Act voter identification legislation. The organization characterizes such requirements as racist restrictions on voting rights. Social media users highlighted the apparent contradiction between opposing identification for voting while requiring extensive documentation for temporary city employment. The comparison gained traction as residents prepared for the approaching winter storm expected to dump up to 24 inches of snow.
Storm Preparations Continue
New York City faces a significant blizzard threatening the East Coast. Forecasters predict wind gusts reaching 60 miles per hour and snowfall rates of one to three inches per hour during peak intensity. The city activated emergency snow removal protocols, recruiting temporary workers to supplement regular sanitation crews. The identification controversy emerged as thousands of residents considered applying for the emergency positions to earn extra income while assisting their communities during the severe weather event.