Automatic Military Draft Registration Begins in December 2026 The U.S. government will implement automatic military draft registration for eligible men starting in December 2026, as part of a provision included in the annual defense policy bill signed into law late in 2025. The measure, which applies to all male citizens and non-citizens aged 18 to 26, aims to streamline the registration process and ensure compliance with the Military Selective Service Act. This system would replace the current manual registration requirement, which mandates individuals to register within 30 days of turning 18, with penalties for noncompliance including felony charges, loss of federal benefits, and potential imprisonment. Under the new policy, automatic registration will be enforced nationwide, with no exceptions for nonimmigrant visa holders. The Selective Service System (SSS) reported that 46 states and territories already have automatic registration in place, primarily through state motor vehicle departments. These agencies collect registration data when individuals apply for driver’s licenses or other forms of identification. In states like Arizona, Delaware, and Washington, D.C., eligible men are registered automatically during these processes. New York, however, includes a separate section on driver’s license applications for selective service registration. The SSS noted that over 60% of registrations come from state motor vehicle departments, highlighting the efficiency of this method. The law, signed by President Donald Trump in December 2025, was crafted to ensure all eligible men are registered without requiring active participation.#iran #president_donald_trump #selective_service_system #u_s_government #chrissy_houlahan
