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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Many Americans feel that changing clocks is outdated.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>Carrie</span> Tue, 10/13/2020 - 19:53
I live in Florida and would prefer DST to stop and stay on standard time all year long. The reality is that we only have so many hours of daylight in the winter, and it's a school safety issue for children to be going to school in the dark. Many people are working at home now, and so driving home in the dark isn't as much of an issue. Many people are home by dinner time when it is dark anyway. People are thinking of tourism here in Florida, but not about children's safety in the morning. I don't understand why people are actually thinking they are getting more sunlight. It's better as far as reducing energy consumption. We need to just stay on standard for the entire year and get rid of DST!
<span>Emily Yarnall</span> Tue, 10/13/2020 - 19:26
Why on earth would Californians and other Pacific coast places want to be on Denver time? Mountain time zone is what we are equal to on PDT, and the place where that is closest to ‘real’ sun time is Denver (or, to put it another way, Denver is on the central meridian for its time zone.). California is actually very close to sun time when we are on Standard time, so let’s stay that way. Agreed this going back and forth is annoying. Let people who really want to do it adjust their own hours.
<span>Susan Turnbach</span> Tue, 10/13/2020 - 12:02
Thanks for an informative article. Even if DST is abolished, businesses and schools in various localities could adjust their schedules to times most appropriate to their region. While that might introduce more confusion, it is under local control. Today with international businesses and sports across time zone lines, we're getting used to scheduling with colleagues and friends taking into account their local time. While I personally like later sunsets. One would think that retirees could set their own time, but somehow we still seem to get forced into the local construct.
<span>Russell</span> Tue, 10/13/2020 - 06:52
As A professional driver, I would prefer DST to be permanent, Why? Because People are well rested in the am and driving to work in the dusk are less likely to have an accident than they are driving home in the dark in a fatigued state. Also it gives people more time to enjoy the outdoors after work.
<span>Judi Kvachuk</span> Mon, 10/12/2020 - 03:20
I prefer DST. Come on Nevada. End this annoying time change now so we don't have to fall back in November
<span>Abe Fehr</span> Fri, 10/09/2020 - 16:26
I prefer permanent DST. Winter evenings are too long and dark on standard time. Every time change takes me two months to fully adjust.
<span>Julie</span> Tue, 10/06/2020 - 21:06
I prefer permanent DST. Once a person leaves work, it gives time to spend with family outside, or other activities.
<span>Peggy Smith</span> Wed, 09/30/2020 - 21:00
I love daylight saving time I hope it will co tinue to stay on daylight saving time...i do a lot of yard work so i like that it doesnt get dark early plus i like to sleep late so having the sunlight late in the day is perfect for me and mostly i can go to town later without it getting dark before i get back home...please keep daylight saving time thanks ❤
<span>Kristine</span> Tue, 09/29/2020 - 06:04
Ok so DST can be an annoyance and sure it is a "slight" adjustment, but I have to really question the validity of all the arguments presented here against it. The article mentioned some areas that have done away with it, but failed to elaborate on whether and in what ways this really impacted life and made things better. The article says "imagine telling a cow... [they have to get milked an hour earlier, or later]." I somehow do not think this will be a major adjustment for a cow. Yeah I get the whole thing about body clock, but can it be proved scientifically that humans must rise a a particular time or go to sleep at a particular time? Or that a cow must be milked at a certain hour each day? I think the article goes overboard in favor of DST. I am not commenting to present an argument against it. I am just saying. I do think people enjoy that extra hour of daylight at the end of the day, especially in a society in which so many are on the daily work schedules we have. Bottom line I don't see that it is really such a big deal, more like an small, short lived annoyance we go through twice a year. Please present some evidence on real benefits in areas that have eliminated it. With the schedules we keep these days, it actually seems more likely people people would benefit from additional daylight at the end of day (after they get out of work or school) than before. As for any "depression" noticed after the fall change this may just be related to the fact we are going into winter and overall experiencing more cold and less sunshine. So the article puts out a thought worthy argument, but does not seem to be able to substantiate these arguments in amounting to much of anything.
<span>Alicia Story</span> Sun, 09/27/2020 - 08:20
I have read many of the comments concerning Daylight Saving Time verses Standard Time and the actual act of changing the clocks. I can honestly say I see both sides of the argument. What it appears everyone agrees on though, is the disruptive time change needs to stop. I'm also pretty certain we can all agree that there is absolutely no way to make everyone happy. The best suggestion I have read so far is to split the difference and then stop changing. For example; if we are now on DST, when the November time change comes about we only go back 30 minutes and then stay put...no more changing. It seems like the most fair solution for all involved.