U.S. Selective Service moves toward automatic draft registration for eligible men

Does automatic registration mean the U.S. is starting a military draft?

No. The sources say the change affects how eligible men are added to the Selective Service database; it does not itself activate conscription, and the U.S. has not held a draft since 1973 News18,CNBC,Aol.

Who is already required to register under current law?

Most men ages 18 to 25 are already required by federal law to register with the Selective Service System, and the proposal would automate that existing requirement rather than create a new age group NY Post,NYT,BBC.

Why is the government making this change?

The Selective Service System and multiple reports say the shift is intended to streamline registration, improve compliance, and reduce costs by using federal data sources instead of relying on individuals to sign up on their own Vanguard,Daily Voice,BBC.