SOPHIE GABLE, US REPORTER
Published: 22:07 EST, 21 February 2026 | Updated: 22:44 EST, 21 February 2026
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been criticized for urging residents to sign up as snow shovelers, a position that requires two forms of identification.
Critics have pointed out that the request has come while Mamdani's party, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has advocated against voter ID laws.
New York is bracing for its second major snowstorm this year, and Mamdani has asked for volunteers to help clear snow from the city's streets for $19.14 per hour.
Mamdani said during a press conference that the city has prepared 33 vans and two buses with the Department of Sanitation to transport shovelers where they are needed.
'Just show up at your local sanitation garage between 8am and 1pm tomorrow with your paperwork, which is accessible online at NYC.gov/now, and you can get started right away,' the mayor said.
The online registration states that to be accepted for the position, applicants must be at least 18, eligible to work in the US, and able to perform heavy physical labor.
To register for an appointment, those interested must present two small photos of themselves, two original forms of ID, and a Social Security card.
The starting pay to shovel snow with the city is $19.14 per hour, increasing to $28.71 per hour after the first 40 hours worked in a week.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was the subject of criticism online after he called for New Yorkers to sign up to be emergency snow shovelers when the position requires two forms of identification. Mamdani is pictured above at a press conference on the storm on Saturday
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View gallery
New York will soon be hit with another major snow storm. Pictured above are shovelers clearing out a subway station in Brooklyn
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View gallery
Emergency snow shovelers must be 18 years old, eligible to work in the US, and able to perform heavy physical labor
Published: 22:07 EST, 21 February 2026 | Updated: 22:44 EST, 21 February 2026
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been criticized for urging residents to sign up as snow shovelers, a position that requires two forms of identification.
Critics have pointed out that the request has come while Mamdani's party, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has advocated against voter ID laws.
New York is bracing for its second major snowstorm this year, and Mamdani has asked for volunteers to help clear snow from the city's streets for $19.14 per hour.
Mamdani said during a press conference that the city has prepared 33 vans and two buses with the Department of Sanitation to transport shovelers where they are needed.
'Just show up at your local sanitation garage between 8am and 1pm tomorrow with your paperwork, which is accessible online at NYC.gov/now, and you can get started right away,' the mayor said.
The online registration states that to be accepted for the position, applicants must be at least 18, eligible to work in the US, and able to perform heavy physical labor.
To register for an appointment, those interested must present two small photos of themselves, two original forms of ID, and a Social Security card.
The starting pay to shovel snow with the city is $19.14 per hour, increasing to $28.71 per hour after the first 40 hours worked in a week.
Sign up to our Editor's Picks newsletter
By signing up, you will receive our newsletter as well as marketing emails with news, offers and updates from the Daily Mail. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.
+6
View gallery
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was the subject of criticism online after he called for New Yorkers to sign up to be emergency snow shovelers when the position requires two forms of identification. Mamdani is pictured above at a press conference on the storm on Saturday
+6
View gallery
New York will soon be hit with another major snow storm. Pictured above are shovelers clearing out a subway station in Brooklyn
+6
View gallery
Emergency snow shovelers must be 18 years old, eligible to work in the US, and able to perform heavy physical labor
