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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Many Americans feel that changing clocks is outdated.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>Kaitlin</span> Fri, 11/03/2023 - 07:24
Agreed
<span>Joyce Pedrotti</span> Wed, 03/15/2023 - 08:13
I agree.
<span>Cassandra</span> Mon, 03/13/2023 - 02:57
I think they should lead the time of line when the time goes back in November they need just to leave the time alone because it hurts a lot of people it messes your body up and it causes a lot of accidents and also I’m tired of a president or a government tell me what and when and how to do anything and why do I have to keep setting my clock up and back up and back, that’s crazy. It’s stupid. Just leave the time back where it was that please sir thank you for let me leave my comment.
<span>Cassandra</span> Mon, 03/13/2023 - 02:52
I think stayed in North Carolina does not need to change their time they need to leave the time alone. It puts a hurting on everybody’s body and it causes a lotta accidents. And I think we should stay the fall by year timing not forward because it really messes your body up. You don’t get enough sleep get up in the morning and it’s still dark and your body still tired. Thank you for letting me leave my comment.
<span>Shawn Kovac</span> Mon, 03/13/2023 - 02:45
DST stinks. Gov needs to stay out of the People's business when it is not an important matter. The sun shows us what time it is. This is standard time. ALL of these benefits of standard time vs. DST time are lies. People can get up when we want to. The benefits are NOT due to one time vs. another time, but the benefits are because getting up earlier is healthier. These studies show this. But if we stick to a prolonged DST time, then people wud gradually transition to a later time again. And then people wud want to push the time earlier yet again! *face palm* The solution is not for the 'government to save us' but for the government to get out of the People's business. Let people get up when they want. smart people will get up early and exercise and make good lives. lazy people will tend to get up later. but there are good reasons to get up later, as there are MANY factors and these tendencies cannot apply to everyone with only one qualification of getting up earlier or later. I say abolish this horrible DST and stick with what time the sun tells us: standard time. kill Daylight 'Saving' Time which does not save daylight at all. the naming of this is yet another political lie.
<span>Mary</span> Wed, 11/08/2023 - 23:54
I'm not lazy I get up late because I'm up all night treating g animals in emergency hospital so that's not a nice thing to say...I prefer stay up late but I still take care of my responsibilities...
<span>James</span> Fri, 10/20/2023 - 12:04
Not sure why you generalizing that "lazy" people get up later. That's not how it works at all, and that's a bs blanket statement. If that was the case, there would be no open restaurants, gas stations, hospitals, police stations etc. This doesn't indicate whether someone is somehow "smart" for getting up early. That's complete fallacy. But then again, a "smart" guy like you that gets up early uses words like "wud".... However, you are correct in that local areas should base what they do, and at what time based on the available sunlight. Pretty sure that's how we did it before we became obsessed with clock faces. The numbers mean nothing. It's actually incredibly simple. Regardless of what number the clock says, take your SHORTEST day, and build the schedule for your area that makes the most sense. If that means that people get up at 5:30 am because the sun is up, then they take their kids to school and have them there by 6:30 am, and they are released at 1:30pm. With the sun setting before 6, they've wasted no daylight hours at all. The days only get longer from there. If it needs to be adjusted 30 minutes one way or another to make a better fit in, then by all means, do that. Clock changes disrupt way more things than they prevent,
<span>Brigitte</span> Sun, 03/12/2023 - 23:58
I hate it. I think we need to leave it one way or the other although I prefer Standard Time.
<span>Linda Mcwilliams</span> Wed, 03/15/2023 - 06:00
I HATE IT I’m 75 and can not adjust to time change. I live for the changing back in the Fall. I’m rested again…. It’s ALL a Pain Thanks. And Have A Nice Day !!😁
<span>Maggie</span> Sun, 03/12/2023 - 23:43
DST year round. I don’t care about dark in the mornings because I’m going to work so who cares, but I really hate driving home in the dark during fall n winter months n not having some sunlight to do things like take a walk or enjoy a sunset. I like longer days in the afternoons.