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Will We Ever Stop Changing the Clocks? The Fight Over DST

white analog clock sitting in green grass, with the face reading 8:00
Image Credit:
M.Vich/Shutterstock
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Every fall and spring, Americans grumble about changing the clocks—“fall back” in November, “spring forward” in March. But will this ritual ever end? Here’s the latest news on the push to stop switching between Daylight Saving Time (DST) and Standard Time, plus a look back at how we got here.

The Next Clock Change

The next change happens on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 A.M., when Daylight Saving Time ends. Clocks will “fall back” one hour to Standard Time. Most people set their clocks forward before going to bed on Saturday night, March 7, so they wake up at the correct time Sunday morning. For quick and accurate time conversions across U.S. and world time zones, try our Time Zone Converter.

Why We Still Change the Clocks

Many Americans feel that changing clocks is outdated. Studies show:

  • A 2022 CBS News poll: 33% want permanent Standard Time, 46% want permanent DST, and 21% are fine with switching twice a year.
  • A 2022 Monmouth poll: 13% prefer Standard Time year-round, 44% prefer DST year-round, and 35% are okay with switching.

The debate continues: Standard Time aligns with the sun and human circadian rhythms, while DST gives later sunsets and more evening daylight.

Does Changing the Clocks Save Energy?

Not significantly. A 2008 U.S. Department of Energy report found only a 0.5% drop in daily electricity use during extended DST weeks. Modern studies find little benefit.

Health, Safety, and Other Effects of Time Change

  • Sleep & health: Standard Time aligns better with circadian rhythms. The spring switch is linked to increased heart attacks and strokes.
  • Safety: Fatal accidents rise after the spring change, though robberies drop with lighter evenings.
  • Mental health: The fall switch has been linked to higher rates of depression diagnoses.
  • Lifestyle: Extra evening daylight boosts outdoor activity, but economic activity dips after the fall change.

See our 5 Tips to Adjust to Daylight Saving Time for help with the transition.

The Push to End Clock Changes

In recent years, public frustration has fueled political momentum to make either DST or Standard Time permanent.

  • 2018–2022: Dozens of states passed resolutions or laws in favor of permanent Daylight Saving Time, though federal approval was required.
  • 2022: The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Sunshine Protection Act to make DST permanent. However, the bill stalled in the House.
  • 2023–2025: New versions of the bill have been introduced, but none have advanced to law.

Who Wants to Lock the Clock?

While Congress has not yet passed legislation for permanent DST, states are taking matters into their own hands:

As of this writing, 29 states are actively pursuing some form of permanent time change.

  • Permanent Daylight Saving Time: 19 states have passed laws or resolutions to adopt year-round DST once federal approval is granted.
  • Permanent Standard Time: 6 states are pursuing year-round Standard Time.
  • Mixed or contingent initiatives: 4 states have considered both options or proposals contingent on federal action.
  • No initiative to change: 19 states have not introduced any legislation regarding DST or Standard Time.
  • Already on Standard Time year-round: Hawaii and most of Arizona (except the Navajo Nation).

On June 20, 2025, Texas passed a law aiming for year-round DST, but it won’t take effect until Congress allows it.

A Brief History of Clock Changes

The U.S. has wrestled with clock changes for over a century, and permanent DST has been attempted and reversed multiple times. The United States first adopted nationwide clock changes during World War I to save energy, then again during World War II. Since 1966, the Uniform Time Act has regulated the biannual time change.

  • 1918 – World War I: DST was introduced as a fuel-saving measure. Contrary to myth, farmers opposed it because shifting hours disrupted livestock and work routines. The law lasted only 7 months, though some states continued observing it locally.
  • 1942–1945 – World War II: President Franklin D. Roosevelt established year-round “War Time” DST.
  • 1945–1966: States observed DST inconsistently, creating confusion for transportation, broadcasting, and commerce.
  • 1966 – Uniform Time Act: Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, this standardized DST across U.S. time zones. States could opt out, but the system became the national norm.
  • 1974 – Energy Crisis: DST was made year-round to save energy, but the change was unpopular, especially for children going to school in the dark.
  • 2005 – Energy Policy Act: Established the current system of DST from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. States can opt out to stay on Standard Time, but cannot adopt year-round DST without Congress.

Exceptions today: Hawaii, most of Arizona, and U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas) remain on Standard Time.

For more history, see our main Daylight Saving Time page.

Where Things Stand in 2026

As of July 2026, Americans will still be changing their clocks twice a year. No federal law has passed to end the switch. A majority of states support the change in principle, but Congress must act before anything can take effect nationwide.

Will the Clock Changes Ever Stop?

The answer remains: Not yet. While the issue has bipartisan support and broad public approval, the debate continues over which time should be adopted permanently—Daylight Saving or Standard Time. Until Congress resolves the question, “springing forward” and “falling back” continue.

What Other Countries Do

Frustrations with clock changes are not limited to the U.S.:

  • European Union: 80% of residents want to end seasonal clock changes.
  • Countries that abolished DST: Argentina (2009), Russia (2014), Turkey (2016).

Frequently Asked Questions

When do we change clocks in 2026?

Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 A.M. Clocks “fall back” one hour.

Will this be the last time we change the clocks?

Not yet. Congress has not passed a law to make DST or Standard Time permanent.

Why do we change the clocks?

Originally, to save energy during wartime; today it’s largely historical and standardized by law.

Can states stop changing their clocks?

States can opt out of DST and stay on Standard Time (like Hawaii and Arizona) but cannot adopt year-round DST without federal approval.

Does changing the clocks save energy or improve safety?

Energy savings are minimal. DST may reduce evening crime and encourage activity, but it temporarily increases car accidents and health risks, and it affects sleep and mental health.

Bottom line: The next clock change is November 1, 2026, when Americans set their clocks back 1 hour. Until Congress acts, the twice-yearly time change continues.

What do you think about Daylight Saving Time? Tell us in your comments below.

History

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the digital home of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. She leads digital editorial strategy and publishing across a wide range of Almanac sub...

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Christopher Kelley</span> Sun, 03/14/2021 - 20:50
What is wrong with these politicians? Standard Time is standard time - that's the time it should be!! Things are already messed up doing this time change twice a year why would we make an artificial Time by making DST the default. That's some stupid selfish human construct. STANDARD time should be the standard. Sorry about being so passionate my comment but people are not thinking this through. The bills put forward through Congress should Not make daylight savings time standard... remember, that's the made-up thing.. no one wants to see the sun in the sky at 9 at night...
<span>Alexcis Wichtowski</span> Sun, 03/14/2021 - 20:01
Do the people who support DST year round realize that if that is adopted the sun won't rise in the winter months until 8:30am or later? And it would still get dark in the evening around 5:30pm? Here in California, with the advent of DST, the sun will rise tomorrow at 7:28am, and we are about a week away from the Spring Equniox. On permanent DST at the Winter Solstice that means the sun will rise at about 8:30am. I will be going to work in the pitch black for months, not to mention the fact that since school starts at 8:00am or earlier, kids will be in school well before the sun rises. Yes, there is an extra hour of light in the evening, but does that really compensate in energy savings, retail spending and car crash fatalities for the fact that it is darker longer in the morning? We are using the lights longer in the morning, that negates any minute energy savings there may be. And with everyone commuting to work in the dark and kids on their way to school, I can't imagine that car crash fatalities would really be any less. These things need to be seriously considered before we vote on the Sunshine Protection Act. Year round DST didn't work in 1974 and I see no reason it will work now. I for one, don't want to be at work for an hour or more before the sun rises. I only hope our Senators consider realities of this change before they vote!
<span>Cheryll Robb</span> Sun, 03/14/2021 - 15:36
I hate Daylight Saving time! I like it when it falls back to "normal" time. I would like to see it fall back and stay there. It may have been a good thing in the past during certain times, but now it seems totally unnecessary. I like the normal feel of time when it falls back. Fall back and KEEP it there.
<span>Cathie Ochoa</span> Sun, 03/14/2021 - 15:01
I absolutely agree with Christine on March 13. Some of you guys are confusing which is DST and which is standard time. You actually want daylight savings time, but you THINK it is standard time. What a mess. I hope you government know-it-alls are happy with this monster you have created. Personally I prefer not waking up at 4:30 AM (standard time in the summer); 5:30 AM is early enough! I vote to keep DST and make it permanent. Since the origin of the hours has always been arbitrary (WE MADE IT UP TO START WITH, FOLKS), "standard time" has no real value. It would not change anything to keep DST, except that from here on out we would be one hour in the hole.
<span>Louis Castiglione</span> Sun, 03/14/2021 - 13:46
No Christine, we are not confused! DST is stupid! If you have permanent DST, do you realize how dark and cold it will be on the Winter and Fall mornings when kids are going to school!?!? Another really bad aspect of DST, especially in southern states like Texas and Louisiana, is that it takes forever to get the house cooled down in the evenings when it's time for bed! That extra hour of sun radiating on the roof and attic really make the air conditioner work extra hard to bring indoor temps down to a comfortable sleeping level. Not to mention the extra utility cost to do so. Here in Houston Texas, the Sun is shining till 9:00 PM during DST...that's just STUPID!! The intelligent and natural vote is to keep Standard time year round and abolish DST!!!
<span>Pac</span> Sun, 03/14/2021 - 11:35
Changes clocks twice a year equates to the definition of insanity: Continuing to do the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
<span>Bobbi L.</span> Sun, 03/14/2021 - 11:18
It does no good. Kids out playing? Where? Most of them won't get off of the couch and put those devices down, and god forbid they do any outside chores. It certainly hasn't done anything for Childhood Obesity since many of these children are 200 pounds in the fourth grade. And the obesity rates are climbing every decade. Go back to natural sun time and STAY there.
<span>Jill Hinkle</span> Sun, 03/14/2021 - 08:33
Enough is enough already, we should have gotten rid of this a long time ago! It doesn't do any good. I say we should stay on standard time. The days regulate themselves naturally, getting longer, and getting shorter.
<span>Tom M Corsile</span> Sun, 03/14/2021 - 08:09
I HATE IT. SHOULD BE STOPPED.
<span>James P.</span> Sun, 03/14/2021 - 07:41
Moving to permanent DST would be a stupid. We actually tried this before in 1973-1974 during the Yom Kippur War. People complained about sending their kids to school in the dark, and the overall depressing atmosphere. As a university student going to what was then a strictly commuter college, it was depressing traveling that long hour to school. There were other problems which I no longer remember, but I do know that in general, people hated year-long DST. That is why the experiment was terminated in October of 1974. Let us learn from history and not make the same mistake twice. If we really do not like going back between daylight savings time and standard time every year, then eliminate daylight savings time, and make standard time the law of the land. Something else we might want to consider is changing the time zone boundaries, or even adding fractional time zones, like Newfoundland Standard Time has. However, don't just jump to DST and make it permanent. We will all regret it.