Selective Service compliance down Maine reports 91% of men registered, 5% less than last year’s total

WASHINGTON – The Selective Service System’s annual state-by-state registration compliance report card says Maine reported a 91 percent compliance rate – a 5 percent decline since last year.

Nationally, registration compliance held fairly steady at 86 percent, down by only a point from last year’s high-water mark of 87 percent.

Seven states increased registration rates by 3 percent or more, with Delaware leading the way at 10 percent. Louisiana saw a 2 percent increase, from 75 percent to 77 percent, while Texas and Hawaii remained steady at 79 percent and 75 percent, respectively.

States showing losses included Vermont at 4 percent, Kansas at 5 percent, Nebraska at 5 percent, Maine at 5 percent and Rhode Island at 5 percent. The District of Columbia also showed a loss at 8 percent.

This marks the third year that the Selective Service System has issued its state-by-state report card, measuring the percentage of eligible men turning 20 who have registered with the independent federal agency.

Federal law requires that virtually all young men living in the United States register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday.

Congress has made Selective Service registration a requirement for securing a number of opportunities, including federal student loans and grants, job training, jobs with the federal government, and U.S. citizenship for male immigrants.

Twenty-nine states, including Maine, have similar laws tying education, training or employment opportunities for young men to Selective Service registration. Additionally, some states are making registration a requirement for men seeking driver’s licenses. Failure to register is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

“We know that the biggest barrier to registration remains lack of awareness, and that outreach efforts to educational and community-based organizations are working in other states. We plan on redoubling our efforts to get the word out,” said Averill Black, state director for Selective Service in Maine.