Mamdani Says No ID For Voting, But Bring One To His Government Grocery Stores

As New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveils his new city-run grocery stores, his administration is taking steps to prevent some shoppers from taking advantage of the program — by requiring identification. 

“So our RFP [Request for Proposal] makes it very clear that this is a program for New Yorkers to be able to put food on the table, not a program for people to be able to make a quick buck through reselling,” said Mamdani, answering a question on how his administration would safeguard the grocery stores.

Jeanny Pak, the interim president and CEO of the NYC Economic Development Corporation, revealed that the mayor’s office would be issuing a form of identification for New Yorkers to be able to shop in the government stores.

“We are looking to make sure that we target New Yorkers whether it be a sort of library card-esque thing and also we manage who’s buying and that it is focused on everyday New Yorkers,” Pak said.

According to proposals, the government grocery store operators will create free access cards that will help ensure that New Yorkers are not abusing the program. Shoppers without a card would not be prohibited from entering the store, but they would not be allowed to make any purchases without the ID.

Conservative pundits began pointing out the irony in Mamdani’s grocery store ID as Democrats have forcefully argued against passing legislation that would require identification to vote. Democrats have argued voter identification would suppress the votes of many women whose names changed after marriage.

The Mamdani administration did not immediately respond to questions about how it plans to verify that shoppers are New York City residents or what documentation, if any, will be required to obtain a membership card.

The Democratic Socialists of America New York chapter, of which Mamdani is a proud member, has strongly opposed voter ID requirements. The group described election integrity legislation as a “campaign to reverse the gains of the Civil Rights Movement and marginalize working-class Americans.” 

The grocery store ID cards mark the second time the Mamdani administration has required a form of identification to participate in one of its programs. Earlier this year, Mamdani’s emergency snow shoveler labor initiative asked potential shovelers to arrive with documentation and other required paperwork.

When asked about why it takes two forms of ID to shovel snow, but no ID to vote, Mamdani replied, “Well, here in New York City, we follow the law, and it’s federal law to require certain forms of identification in order for someone to actually be paid for this kind of a job. And so that’s what we’re asking for — two forms of identification. It’s a longstanding city program. It’s a longstanding city policy.”

With the city-run grocery stores, however, Mamdani is entering largely uncharted territory. Unlike the snow-shoveling program, there are no established federal employment rules governing how government-operated grocery stores verify shoppers’ eligibility. Outside of age-restricted purchases, private grocery stores do not typically require customers to present identification before buying groceries. Costco and Sam’s Club require a membership to shop in-store, but at Mamdani’s city-owned stores, shoppers would be able to obtain their membership cards for free.