NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani requires five forms of ID for snow shovelers, not needed at polls

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Mayor Zohran Mamdani is calling on New Yorkers to grab a shovel alongside a stack of paperwork.

The democratic socialist, who has opposed requiring identification to vote, is now presiding over a city program that demands no fewer than five forms of identification for anyone looking to clear snow off sidewalks.

This comes as a blizzard warning has been issued for New York City for the first time in nearly a decade. Forecasters expect 19 to 24 inches of snow, with wind gusts topping 55 mph and possibly hitting 60 miles per hour as the storm rages through Sunday and Monday. Snowfall could pile up at a rate of one to three inches per hour.

Gov Kathy Hochul has already declared a State of Emergency for NYC. Mamdani says outreach teams have been mobilized.  

Paperwork required to become an emergency snow shoveler in New York City

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) announced Saturday that it is recruiting temporary, per diem shovelers to remove snow and ice from bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants, and step streets.

Mamdani personally urged New Yorkers to pitch in. “For those who want to do more to help your neighbors and earn some extra cash, you too can become an emergency snow shoveler. Just show up at your local sanitation garage… with your paperwork which is accessible online,” he said at a presser on Saturday.

According to the DSNY website, applicants must provide two small photos sized 1-1.5 square inches, two original forms of ID plus copies, and their Social Security card. Workers must also be at least 18 years old, able to perform heavy physical labor, and eligible to work in the US, according to the department.

The pay is nothing to sneeze at. Shovelers start at $19.14 per hour, climbing to $28.71 per hour after the first 40 hours worked in a week. With nearly two feet of snow on the way, overtime may not be in short supply.

IDs for shoveling snow, not for ballots

The strict registration requirements for snow shovelers stand in stark contrast to voting rules in NYC.

Unlike the emergency worker guidelines, the New York City Board of Elections does not require most registered voters to bring an ID.

First-time voters are only required to provide one of three documents, including a driver’s license number, a non-driver ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number.

Furthermore, for those who did not provide ID when registering to vote, there’s still a path to the ballot box as they are able to vote by affidavit ballot.

Notably, Mamdani is a member of the New York chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which has opposed voter ID laws such as the SAVE Act, calling it racist.

“Our candidates for office stand firm against racist voter ID laws and secret poll taxes like the ‘SAVE America Act,'” the DSA’s website says.

New York City officials prepare to tackle blizzard

City officials are preparing for impact.

Mamdani said pre-snow operations would begin on Saturday, with plows being prepared, salt spreaders loaded, and Department of Sanitation crews gearing up for deployment.

More than 2,600 sanitation workers will work 12-hour shifts starting Sunday as the storm intensifies.

"While DSNY focuses on snow clearing and responding to this blizzard, they will be running at least one day behind on garbage and recycling collection," Mamdani said.

The city has also brought in outside snow-clearing equipment days ahead of the storm. That includes tow trucks and large loaders to help manage what could be nearly two feet of snow blanketing Gotham.