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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Many Americans feel that changing clocks is outdated.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>Trudy</span> Tue, 11/03/2020 - 14:15
DSL year round. After school activities. An extra hour that families can have for family fun. An extra hour to do things after work or school. An extra hour for those who cannot drive at night. By the way, farmers work from dawn to dusk. That is the only "natural" time. Time zones are constructs by society that make the most sense for their area. Many older seniors also have "sunset" closing down which will occur by the sun, not whatever time we have set.
<span>Msrock</span> Tue, 11/03/2020 - 13:09
I think Daylight Savings time is unnatural and should be abolished.
<span>David T-G</span> Tue, 11/03/2020 - 08:00
Saving used to be enough, but these days you just can't get anywhere at that rate. What we need is Daylight Investment Time to really make the most of our days. We should jump forward an hour (or two!) every year and NOT fall back. Thanks to the Time Value of Sun and with Light Compounding, as we accelerate we can actually reap the benefits of tomorrow TODAY! Imagine how fast we could progress if we set the clocks forward an hour every month!!! "Permanent Saving Time" is ridiculous. It makes sense to have noon be when the sun is approximately overhead and midnight be when it is approximately underfoot; any other label is just arbitrary. Frankly, I'm tired not only of DST but of time zones in general and wish we'd all just settle on UTC.
<span>T Mayer</span> Tue, 11/03/2020 - 07:29
Changing the clocks has the same effect on me as jet lag. It doesn't really mater if it's in the spring or fall. I feel disoriented, slightly nauseas and out-of-sorts for at least a week and sometimes as long as 2 weeks. However, if I'm really, really busy every day after the change, it helps me ignore the effects of the change. And the dogs just think it's plain old bs. What? All of a sudden it's not dinner time yet????? Pick one and LEAVE IT ALONE!
<span>Shopperkitty</span> Tue, 11/03/2020 - 06:06
As a Registered Nurse living in the Northeast, I have worked the evening shift for most of my career. Every year when we "fall behind", I must come home from work on Saturday night and set all my clocks back....the extra hour of sleep only lasts one night. Exactly who benefits when it is dark around 6PM-in mid December it is dark at approximately 4:30PM? For example,on the evening shift, elderly patients sometime become more confused and think it's bedtime and resist staff's efforts to encourage ambulation in the evening. Because I'm not a "morning person", I do errands later in the day and it usually is dark by the time I get to the supermarket. Driving becomes more hazardous in the cold weather, and there is more traffic accidents due to driving on icy roads, depression increases as people spend more time indoors,and less opportunity to walk during evening hours due to safety concerns. I realize some have concerns regarding children leaving for school when it is dark, however, children aren't driving cars. School hours could be adjusted to benefit everyone.
<span>Pcniles</span> Tue, 11/03/2020 - 00:44
Changing the clocks forward an hour and then turning them back to "normal time" a few months later is just another example of how stupid humans can be. I would like to stop this practice but I do not want it to change to a permanent DST. I prefer to have the clocks represent that actual sun time -- as near as possible, that is, which is "standard time." People's biorhythms are affected --some more than others (and I am one of those "more")-- when we are in daylight savings time. Let's just keep time the way clock makers intended it to be kept.
<span>Cindy</span> Tue, 11/03/2020 - 00:11
Keep Daylight Saving Time all year long. Kids can deal with dark mornings on their way to school in the winter. More outside time and exercise in the afternoon keeps us healthy and happy. Leave our body clocks in sync.
<span>Rhonda Pettus</span> Mon, 11/02/2020 - 22:39
If in fact it causes more heart attacks, car accidents, miscarriages. Why are we still changing time. Leave it alone. Please! NO MORE TIME CHANGE!!!!!!!!!
<span>Mich</span> Mon, 11/02/2020 - 22:33
I'm now 70 y/o and I just changed my clocks yet AGAIN !! Feedback increases more every year of the general public being fed up with changing time twice. It's been proven to not be healthy both physically and mentally. So congress just eliminate it already.
<span>Sandra Kaye Vazquez</span> Mon, 11/02/2020 - 18:57
Please let us stay the same, the time change affects too much, including health. It is time for Congress to listen to the public. To me darkness is not protective or safe especially with seniors.Enough is enough listen to us.