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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Many Americans feel that changing clocks is outdated.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>Maggie</span> Sun, 03/12/2023 - 18:28
I never saw the point in the time change. It always messes with my sleep and just everything in general for days, making me feel absolutely miserable. I know others feel the same. There is no need for it. There's more negatives than positives health wise and we were never meant to do it in the first place. Daylight happens when the sun rises and ends when it sets, like it always has. I really hope we're done with it once and for all within my lifetime...
<span>Cindy</span> Sun, 03/12/2023 - 18:24
It is me again. My comment earlier today seemed selfish. I grew up on farms horses, some cows and gardens. They all have internal clocks just like we do. Animals like to be milked and feed at a certain time every day just like us. My two cats were not very interested in their food today, it was to early because of the time change. We cannot change our planet earths revolution around the sun so lets keep standard time and the natural sunrise and sunset. Time moves fast enough so why change it. Everyone have a good evening.
<span>Kay</span> Sun, 03/12/2023 - 16:28
For some, by the time they are finally beginning to make the adjustment, it is already time to change the clocks yet again. NOBODY (including pets and farm animals, infants, toddlers and young children) should be forced to readjust their entire lives, medication schedules, eating schedules, sleep schedules, etc. twice a year every year! Few wake up easily when it is still dark. However, very few can even get to sleep when it is still light out and not only lose quantity of sleep but also quality. The purpose behind the time changes in the first place was to save to money on energy (candle wax, coal) which no longer applies to the modern world -- it is not even applicable to saving modern electricity -- especially as long as there are street lights, stop lights, crossing signs, tunnel lights, neon signs, security lights, etc. running all the time anyway. And now there is the push for electric cars -- which will be charging for hours -- all night as well as during the day as needed and/or when not in use creating a very huge energy drain. The time change is defunct and serves no purpose! Whichever (DST or standard) ensures that it is dark by bedtime for most of the year for most of the country is what needs to be adopted and remain in place!
<span>Patty</span> Sun, 03/12/2023 - 10:44
This is a no brainer. Getting up when it's dark is awful. And there is no need for it to be light out at 9 pm. Before they changed the clocks, it was naturally light at 630 am and getting dark a bit later each night for summer. Now we will be getting kids off for school and getting ready for work in the dark. It's unnatural. Our bodies are supposed to get up when it's light and got to bed when it's dark. Enough already.
<span>Marie</span> Sun, 10/15/2023 - 01:46
With standard time it would get light at 3:30am in the summer. Who in their right mind wants to start their day then? Standard time in the winter has us getting up for work in the dark AND coming home in the dark. It should NOT be dark at 5pm.
<span>Sally Parsons</span> Sun, 11/05/2023 - 09:52
Going to work or school in the Dark isn't fun. Coming home from work in the Dark also isn't fun. It ruins Sleep cycle, and havoc on your bodies natural rhythm. Stop the INSANITY PLEASE!!
<span>Jill</span> Fri, 11/03/2023 - 10:54
It would have to get light at 4:30 am DST for it to be light at 3:30 am Standard Time. I personally don’t know if it’s light at 4:30 am in the summer. That’s what blinds are for and that’s why I don’t wake up that early. People act like the whole world will be dark if we go back to Standard. It won’t. It’s dark now until almost 7:00 in the morning, and the sun sets around 5:45. So it’s going to be dark whether you stay on DST or not and it will get darker as winter approaches, Standard Time or DST. People talk about more daylight in the evening. Personally, I don’t think we need it to be light until 9:00 in the summer. 8:00 is plenty late.
<span>Kevin</span> Sun, 03/12/2023 - 20:34
I agree with you Patty...IMO STANDARD TIME is the answer...not to be rude, most people don't get it...I lived in AZ for years and STANDARD time is the way to go...Higher Brass, PLEASE listen to the SLEEP EXPERTS...
<span>Cindy</span> Sun, 03/12/2023 - 09:22
I like Standard Time. I wish we would keep Standard Time. My husband and I enjoy lighting our fire pit in the warmer weather. With the sun shining till 9pm it is hard to enjoy. I do not see any need for Daylight Savings Time.
<span>Debra</span> Sun, 03/12/2023 - 08:40
Do away with DST altogether. If it affects your circadian rhythm it cannot be good for your health. As for the studies supporting DST, it anppears they are from agencies or companies that want DST and appear to have a bias.