Strict IDs for Shovels, None for Votes

Businessman examining a cityscape with a magnifying glass amidst clouds and an airplane

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani demands multiple IDs and Social Security cards from snow shovelers to earn $19 an hour, yet fights tooth and nail against voter ID laws that could secure elections.

Story Snapshot

NYC requires two original IDs, photos, and Social Security card for emergency shoveling jobs amid blizzard, but most voters cast ballots without any ID.
Mamdani defends strict paperwork as federal law compliance, sparking conservative backlash over Democratic hypocrisy on ID requirements.
Program offers $19.14/hour for heavy labor clearing bus stops and hydrants, targeting work-eligible adults during first NYC blizzard in nearly a decade.
Critics like Jimmy Failla mock it as “Jim Snow 2.0,” tying it to national pushes for voter ID like the SAVE Act.

Blizzard Hits NYC, Shoveler Program Launches

On February 21, 2026, the NYC Department of Sanitation announced recruitment for temporary snow shovelers ahead of a powerful nor’easter forecast to dump 10-24 inches of snow with 55 mph gusts. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency as the first blizzard warning hit NYC since around 2017. The program targets U.S. work-eligible adults 18 and older for strenuous labor at public sites like bus stops and fire hydrants. DSNY garages opened for sign-ups from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Strict ID Rules Spark Hypocrisy Charges

Applicants must submit two 1.5-inch photos, two original forms of ID plus copies, and a Social Security card for eligibility and payment processing. Mayor Zohran Mamdani promoted the initiative in a press conference that day, specifying these requirements. This long-standing program verifies work authorization under federal Form I-9 laws before issuing pay at $19.14 per hour, rising to $28.71 after 40 hours. Conservatives highlight the irony against NYC’s voting rules allowing most ballots via affidavit without ID.

Mamdani Defends Amid Social Media Mockery

On February 22, Mamdani held another press conference defending the paperwork. He stated, “This is a long-standing program… Federal law requires… authorization and documentation to pay people.” DSNY spokesman Goodman echoed that verification ensures legal, sustainable operations, not unnecessary red tape. Critics including comedian Jimmy Failla, who dubbed it “Jim Snow 2.0,” Tudor Dixon, and Sen. Ron Johnson piled on via social media, exposing what they call Democratic double standards on ID mandates.

David Marcus labeled it “Mamdani’s Jim Crow 2.0 snow removal operation” in conservative commentary, questioning claims that voter ID disenfranchises minorities when low-income New Yorkers must produce documents for paid work. The event ties into broader national debates where Democrats like Sen. Chuck Schumer decry voter ID as racist, while Republicans advance the SAVE Act for election integrity.

Impacts Expose Policy Inconsistencies

No sign-up numbers emerged as of February 23, with focus shifting to political backlash over turnout. Short-term, paperwork may deter recruits, slowing snow clearance from critical areas and risking disruptions for residents. Low-income communities, often cited by Democrats as ID-barred, face barriers to this income boost despite targeting them. Elderly participants risk health issues from heavy shoveling.

Economically, the jobs provide welcome pay amid inflation frustrations from past fiscal mismanagement. Politically, the episode pressures Democrats on election security, potentially bolstering Republican efforts for uniform voter ID nationwide. It underscores common-sense verification for paid work versus lax voting, aligning with conservative values of accountability and limited government overreach. Long-standing DSNY protocols remain unchanged, but election contrasts fuel outrage.