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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Many Americans feel that changing clocks is outdated.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>Andrew Fischer</span> Sun, 10/25/2020 - 09:12
Here is my comment from a no-count, unimportant perspective. There's a very small group of us that enjoy the night sky. I'm part of that group. I am what is known as an amateur astronomer. I enjoy the night sky through binoculars and telescopes, which I own several. I take pictures of objects millions of light years away through a telescope. This hobby is a night time hobby, obviously. During the summer, especially in June, it doesn't get dark enough to use a telescope until 10pm due to DST. Is waiting another hour important to me? Yes, it is. Do I play golf? Nope. Do I need to go to a convenience store at 10pm? Nope. Do I need to read a book outside at 10pm? Does anyone? And why is playing golf an extra hour or going to the convenience store more important than childrens safety at the bus stop during winter if DST is made permanent? If you were to ask your lawmakers if it would be dark at the bus stop, or daylight at the bus stop during December and January with permanent DST in effect, they wouldn't have a clue. All they know is that they have another hour of golf in the summer. Do you think the lawmakers asked our military how they would like it if we adopted PWT (Permanent Wrong Time)? It will be the wrong time, permanently. Clocks don't determine how much daylight we see every day. DST doesn't add another hour of daylight. The sun rises and sets with the seasons. The sun doesn't have a clock. Yes, standard time and keep it there.
<span>Bob</span> Sat, 10/24/2020 - 20:46
historically humans arose with the sun and slept with the sun ( clocks are a recent invention) so we woke at slightly different times everyday (except near equator) our internal clocks are not time based. there is no such thing as a natural sleep pattern at this point. so settling on 1 and just living with it may be best.
<span>Del Moore</span> Sat, 10/24/2020 - 16:01
Get rid of it!! It messes with getting children to bed on time and it is just rediculous!
<span>Lisa Jung</span> Sat, 10/24/2020 - 15:17
I don't care whether we use standard or daylight savings time; just pick one and stop changing it!
<span>Jeff Young</span> Sat, 10/24/2020 - 09:41
For those of you who have trouble remembering, it's traumatic on young children to be subjected to what amounts to jet lag twice a year just so mommy and daddy can play later at night and companies can squeeze an extra buck out of the public. Let your children develop naturally and there will be less stress at bedtime and waking time now and more well adjusted adults in the future. God gives us the changing seasons and varying daylight hours. If you can't deal with it, move to Equador, COMMIE.
<span>Douglas Lehman</span> Wed, 10/21/2020 - 17:02
It's interesting how in the US part of the article, the preferred option is to shift permanently to DST, which means that the eastern US, for example would align on the Atlantic/Maritime Canada time zone, whereas the European part of the article is explicitly about eliminating DST. Yet the author does not seem to be picking up on this nuance. Indeed, in the second to last paragraph, the author makes it sound as if both Americans and Europeans want to abolish DST (instead of making in permanent). Curious!
<span>James D Carpenter</span> Wed, 10/21/2020 - 13:53
wHY NOT MAKE SUNSET AT 8PM EVERY DAY. SHIFTING THE TIME JUST A LITTLE EACH DAY.
<span>Iron Head</span> Tue, 10/20/2020 - 06:10
I'm retired. I go to bed when I want and get up when I want. I'm an early riser, so when I'm up at 5 a.m., in a few weeks I'll be getting up at 4 a.m. I have to make myself stay up later, so I'll wake up at a more convenient hour. The good news is every day is still a holiday and every meal a banquet!
<span>Kiri</span> Mon, 10/19/2020 - 22:20
I've long since thought changing by a half hour would be the best option, which was also mentioned by at least one other posted response. There are valid arguments on both sides for which to keep permanently. Why does it have to be an hour one or the other? Split the difference and be done with it. That way everyone wins or everyone loses, depending on how you want to look at it. Maybe that approach would even pass through Congress!
<span>Donna Mitchell</span> Mon, 10/19/2020 - 17:19
I don't care if it's regular time or daylight savings time. Just quit changing it back and forth. America loses too much productivity over lost sleep and I have been saying this for years!!!