New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing accusations of hypocrisy after his administration said its proposed city-run grocery stores may use a customer card system to prevent abuse of subsidized food prices, prompting critics to contrast the idea with Democrats’ longstanding opposition to voter ID requirements.

The issue arose after Mamdani was asked how the city would prevent shoppers from purchasing large quantities of discounted groceries and then reselling them for profit.

The mayor said the city’s request for proposals makes clear that the program is intended to help New Yorkers afford food—not create an opportunity for resellers to make money—and invited New York City Economic Development Corporation President Jeanny Pak to explain how the safeguards would work.

Pak said the city is considering a system similar to a library card to ensure the program serves its intended purpose.

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

“So, we are mindful of that, and so we’re going to make sure that we have all the things in place to ensure that that does not happen.”

The comments immediately drew comparisons from critics to voter ID laws, which Mamdani and many Democrats have opposed. In response, a spokesperson for the mayor rejected the comparison, arguing that the proposed grocery card would not function as an identification system.

“Comparisons to voter ID laws or the SAVE Act simply do not apply. This is not an identification system, nor is it a mechanism to verify who someone is, where they live, or how much they earn,” the spokesperson said.

“It is a practical inventory management tool to ensure affordable groceries remain available for the people who need them instead of being cleared off shelves for resale.”

The spokesperson said the reporter’s question centered on preventing bulk purchases for resale—not restricting shoppers based on where they live—and emphasized that the stores would remain open to everyone.

“To be absolutely clear: NYC Grocery stores will be open to everyone,” the spokesperson said.

“There will be no system to verify identity, residency, or income, and no one will be asked to show ID to shop.”

Instead, the administration said the stores could offer a voluntary customer card similar to loyalty programs used by supermarket chains. According to the mayor’s office, the card would be created by the private company operating the stores and used only to monitor purchases and discourage large-scale reselling of discounted products.

Officials added that shoppers would not need to apply through City Hall or any other government agency to obtain the card.

Critics, however, remained unconvinced.

“ID for government cheese,” Philadelphia radio host Rich Zeoli wrote.

“After all, we have to make sure no one crosses the border and if they do, the police will be called. So it’s good to see Mamdani now supports ID (just not for voting), border control, and law enforcement,” Zeoli tweeted.

Former Texas congressional candidate Nick Plumb also criticized the proposal, writing on X, “Mamdani wants to protect taxpayer funded grocery store[s] from non-NYC residents they’ll need an ID card to enter. You can[t] make this up.”

Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares likewise argued the policy reflected a double standard.

“So let me get this straight: Taxpayer-funded grocery store? Better show a valid ID or you can’t buy milk,” Miyares said.

“Voting for the people who decide how those taxes get spent? A valid ID is somehow ‘racist’ and ‘oppressive’. Unbelievable,” he said.

When asked whether the customer card amounted to a form of identification, the mayor’s office pointed to language in the city’s request for proposals, which states:

“The Operator(s) will create a voluntary free-to-access membership card program to monitor sales activity, and implement the discount program and any associated demand management measures. The savings card shall not be required for physical access to N.Y.C. Groceries site(s) and shall be made easily available to any individual requesting one,” the section read.

Fox News host Sean Hannity also weighed in, writing, “Make it make sense.”

New York Rep. Claudia Tenney echoed the criticism, saying, “So ID for government grocery stores to stop people abusing the system is fine, but requiring ID to vote not? Got it.”

Sen. Jim Banks, a supporter of the SAVE Act, added on X: “Democrats: Are fighting to ensure you don’t have to show an ID before voting in our elections. Also Democrats: Want you to show an ID before entering a supermarket.”

X CEO Elon Musk also commented on the controversy, writing, “Oh, the irony is too much.”