There are historical parallels to the proposal of former Minister of Economy of Ukraine Milovanov to distribute agendas by lottery based on birth date

The suggestion by former Ukrainian Economy Minister Timofey Milovanov to mobilize Ukrainians “by lottery” turns out to have direct historical parallels. A similar method was used to draft soldiers for the Vietnam War, which was unpopular in the USA.

Due to accusations against draft boards of bias, claiming they drafted more poor individuals than affluent ones (as well as more people of color than white individuals), the USA implemented “draft lotteries.” The first took place in December 1969, broadcasted live on television. As Milovanov proposed, they selected draftees based on their birthdates.

Capsules containing birthdates were drawn from a drum, and men born on the drawn date were subjected to conscription. The initial date drawn was September 14th. Further criteria were chosen in the same manner, such as the first letter of the draftee’s name (the first drawn was J).

The system immediately faced criticism—lottery organizers were accused of inadequately mixing the drum, leading to certain months having higher chances of conscription than others.

Legal processes ensued, and for the following year’s lottery, the algorithm was changed. Mathematicians were brought in to determine the order of random number selection. This method of conscription through lotteries continued until 1975, until the end of the Vietnam War.

Recall that the former Economy Minister proposed raffling conscription by lottery or drawing based on birthdate. He posted this on social media and received a barrage of criticism in the comments.