The Draft Is Unpopular. Registration Becomes Automatic in December Anyway.
The U.S. government is implementing automatic registration for the Selective Service, despite public disinterest in reinstating the draft. This change is part of the National Defense Authorization Act and aims to prevent legal issues for young men who fail to register. Officials claim it will save taxpayer dollars and address declining registration rates.
- ▪The federal government will automate draft registration for 18-year-olds starting in December.
- ▪This move is intended to protect young men from penalties for not registering.
- ▪The change is part of the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.
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Politics The Draft Is Unpopular. Registration Becomes Automatic in December Anyway. The federal government will now dig through databases to register 18-year-olds for conscription. J.D. Tuccille | 6.3.2026 7:00 AM Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google Media Contact & Reprint Requests <img src="https://d2eehagpk5cl65.cloudfront.net/img/c800x450-w800-q80/uploads/2026/06/zumaamericastwentytwo709679-800x450.jpg" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto" width="1200" height="675" title="Soldiers" alt="Soldiers | Maurice Gaddy/ZUMA Press/Newscom" /> (Maurice Gaddy/ZUMA Press/Newscom) Americans aren't interested in reinstating a military draft, but that's not stopping the government from "streamlining" Selective Service…
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