Starting in December, eligible young men in the United States will be automatically added to the military draft pool under a provision included in the annual defence policy bill signed into law late last year.
Men aged 18 to 26 are already required to register with the Selective Service in case a draft is ever reinstated. The last active draft ended in February 1973 during the Vietnam War.
According to the Selective Service System’s 2024 report, automatic registration is already implemented in 46 states and territories. The agency recently proposed expanding the system nationwide through a new rule submitted to federal regulators.
The move is unrelated to the ongoing conflict with Iran and was approved months earlier with bipartisan backing. However, the war and the Trump administration’s stance on potentially deploying US troops have brought renewed focus to draft policies.
Under the new measure, automatic registration will apply to all male US citizens and other men living in the country between 18 and 26, including green-card holders, refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented individuals. Those on non-immigrant visas are exempt.
In states without automatic systems, men currently must register within 30 days of turning 18, though late registration is accepted until age 26. Failing to register is a felony and can lead to penalties such as loss of federal benefits, fines of up to $250,000, or imprisonment for up to five years.
Several states already link registration to driver’s license applications or other identification processes, and more than 60% of registrations come through motor vehicle departments, according to a 2023 report.
Supporters say automatic enrollment will prevent eligible men from being penalised for failing to register unknowingly while also reducing administrative costs.
If a draft were ever reinstated, it would require congressional approval. Not all registered individuals would be called to serve; instead, a lottery system would determine who is selected, prioritising those turning 20 in the year of the draft, followed by other age groups.
Those selected could apply for exemptions or deferments, and final eligibility would depend on physical, mental and moral evaluations.
