For American men who refuse to register for the military draft, the consequences could be severe.

With automatic military draft registration set to begin by the end of this year, eligible men will no longer need to register for military service themselves. Instead, the government will use existing data systems to handle it. Officials describe it as a move that “transfers responsibility for registration from individual men to SSS through integration with federal data sources.”

New U.S. military draft rules

This new system marks the biggest shift in more than half a century. In a statement outlining the change, the Selective Service System (SSS) said: “SSS will implement the change by December 2026, resulting in a streamlined registration process and corresponding workforce realignment.”

With just a few months remaining, however, men who turn 18 between now and Christmas will still have to register themselves. Those who fail or refuse to do so can face penalties, as it is considered a felony.

Punishment for refusing to register

According to USA.gov, it’s “punishable by fines or a prison sentence. And you may not be eligible for federal jobs, citizenship, or state-funded student financial aid.”

Most young men are required to register with the Selective Service, including undocumented immigrants, green card holders, and refugees. Immigrants who do not register may be denied citizenship, and according to LADBible, those who knowingly help others avoid registration could face similar consequences.

If a draft is activated, the process begins with 20-year-olds selected through a lottery system. The draft would then expand to older age groups up to 25 before including 18- and 19-year-olds.