Automatic draft registration for men 18–26 to begin in December
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
WASHINGTON — Young men ages 18 to 26 will be automatically registered for the Selective Service beginning in December under a provision in a defense policy bill signed into law last year, according to CNN.
Under current law, men in that age group are already required to register in case a military draft is reinstated. The last draft ended in 1973 during the Vietnam War.
The new measure expands automatic registration nationwide. According to the Selective Service System, most states already use some form of automatic enrollment, often tied to driver’s license applications.
The policy applies to U.S. citizens and other men living in the country, including permanent residents, refugees and undocumented individuals. Men in the U.S. on nonimmigrant visas are exempt.
Failure to register is a felony and can result in the loss of certain federal benefits, including student aid and eligibility for some government jobs.
Lawmakers said the change is intended to streamline the process and reduce the number of people who fail to register unintentionally. The provision received bipartisan support in Congress.
According to CNN, a draft is not currently in effect, and any future draft would require approval by Congress. If authorized, the Selective Service would use a lottery system to determine the order of induction.
Those selected could request exemptions or deferments and would undergo physical and mental evaluations before being approved for service.
