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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Many Americans feel that changing clocks is outdated.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>Jason</span> Sun, 10/18/2020 - 20:34
I love light later in the evenings, and I really don't care if it's dark in the mornings, when I can't enjoy being outside in any event. Early sunsets are depressing. My strong first preference is year-round DST. Far and away, my last preference is abolishing DST. I would keep the status quo -- time changes -- as a way of avoiding my last preference.
<span>E. D. Martin</span> Sun, 10/18/2020 - 17:44
Whatever reasons existed for the original implementation of DST, they are no longer relevant. I always hated it because it took so long for my body to make the shift. Except for the longest days of the year I have always gone to work in the dark and came home in the dark. I hated that my kids had to go to school in the dark when they were just beginning their day. And it took a while for them to make the switch. I envy the animals who follow the light while we foolish humans think we can control time, and nature. Boy, are we stupid.
<span>Cathy Mayfield</span> Sun, 10/18/2020 - 10:11
I think we should have DST year round. Like someone said, there is only about 4 months difference. It’s much more convenient than the other. I live in Kentucky and I love DST!
<span>Shane Johns</span> Sun, 10/18/2020 - 07:06
It's the most ridiculous idea. It's analogous to cutting 6 inches off the end of your blanket, and stitching it to the front of the blanket. When all you really need to do is shift the damn blanket! If people want to change their business hours of operation, so be it! They should have the individual right to do whatever makes the most economic sense FOR THEM. The main problem, as I see it, is that some major corporate businesses don't want to update their posted hours of operation twice per year. They prefer making the entire society change their clocks twice a year instead.
<span>Gene Dick</span> Sat, 10/17/2020 - 17:55
Why bother to change from daylight saving time to standard time. ( Two changes each year ). A pain! Essentially, standard time is only for 4 months, anyways. Why bother. Keep it all year on DST.
<span>Daliah H Wachs</span> Sat, 10/17/2020 - 01:45
Close to 200,000 people have signed to end biannual time changes. Medical experts have cited health risks and the practice is obsolete. #SickofSpringForward or #FinishedWithFallBack
<span>Denise Richardson</span> Fri, 10/16/2020 - 07:35
I am a mid Michigan resident and livestock owner and I want the time to change back to standard and STAY there. Here in the north on DST our sunrise wont be until almost 9 am in November and December!!!
<span>Eric</span> Fri, 10/16/2020 - 06:36
Make it easy. The changing of clocks twice a year is senseless. Change it once more by 1/2 hour and leave it there. Those that want DST get half of what they want and those that want Standard time get half of what they want.
<span>Geoff</span> Thu, 10/15/2020 - 15:46
My opinion is to end DST. That is, stay on standard time year round, NOT DST. Living in the Pacific Northwest means that in the winter the sun rises very late, almost 8:00AM. Staying on DST would push that time to nearly 9:00AM. Having sunlight in the morning makes it much easier to wake up. Having permanent DST isn't going to make the weather any more pleasant and springing forward in spring leads to increased fatigue and less productivity. If we're tired of springing forward and falling back then we should abandon DST altogether and stay on standard time permanently.
<span>John</span> Wed, 10/14/2020 - 17:10
Here in Boston, during the deepest part of the winter, the sun rises at around 7:13am (Standard Time). If we stayed on Daylight time, it wouldn't rise until 8:13am. That seems awfully late, and my kids would be leaving for school an hour before sunrise, and they would be in class for almost 45 minutes already before the sun even rises above the horizon. In the summer, I love the extra daylight time during the evenings when it's warm enough to enjoy being outdoors. While I do dislike coming home from work in the dark, I'd be doing that anyway, even if we stayed on Daylight time year-round (the earliest it sets is 4:11, and that would be 5:11 on Daylight time, when I'm still at work). I'm less likely to go outside when I get home in the winter anyway, because of the cold, so it's not a big deal. Keep it like it is, and we get reasonably light mornings in the winter, and nice long evenings in the summer.