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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Many Americans feel that changing clocks is outdated.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>Jmtac</span> Sat, 03/11/2023 - 08:57
Permanent DST? That is so not cool. Someone once thought DST was to benefit farmers. What, you think we LIKE doing our morning chores in the dark? And what about parents who have to send their kids to the school bus stop when it's still dark? In some neighborhoods, that's not anywhere near safe. My vote's for permanent standard time.
<span>Ozarkldy</span> Sat, 03/11/2023 - 12:22
Not sure that really fixes it. On the Eastern coast that means the kids will be walking or riding bus home in the dark once we fall backwards so they're gonna be in the dark on one end or the other of the day. For that matter as a farmer you also would be doing your chores in the dark on one end or the other of the day. Which end of the day would you prefer to do your chores in the dark? Genuine question. I've farmed in central time we didn't have livestock (just a handful of chickens) but I changed a lot of irrigation gates in the dark.
<span>Dr Eric Aschendorf</span> Sat, 03/11/2023 - 08:51
This article is confusing! You state that this DST change will be the last but then you state that the House & President did not sign-off on the change thus invalidating the permanent change. WHICH IS IT?
<span>T-Ozzy</span> Mon, 09/04/2023 - 18:50
the House & President did not sign-off on the change thus invalidating the permanent change.
<span>William J. Coulston</span> Sat, 03/11/2023 - 08:41
For years I’ve been saying change the clocks 1/2 hour. Keep it permanently . This seems like a good compromise to me.
<span>Shawn Kovac</span> Mon, 03/13/2023 - 02:54
Government changing our time is a HORRIBLE idea. they need to stay out of our affairs. the sun sets the time of day.. until the last stupid century. our evolution is not moving forward in too many respects. (face palm) Standard time is shown to be healthier. if people want get up earlier, then people will get up earlier. the responsible person will do what responsible people do. but even US federal government dictating when we observe what seems like too overbearing to me. let states decide. let counties decide. more local control. less outside & less big government control. but standard time is the clear better option, regardless of whether the polls that prefer DST are accurate or not, studies need to be considered too. studies show that standard time is better. but waking up earlier is also better. combining the best of both sides is let the sun give us the numerical time, but effectively get up earlier (in accordance to DST time). so get up earlier but keep the numbers with standard time. this is the best of all angles, logic, reason, statistics, studies, and just common sense. We the people need to run our government and say no to DST.
<span>Kay</span> Sun, 03/12/2023 - 16:29
Now THAT sounds reasonable!
<span>John</span> Sat, 03/11/2023 - 08:36
Frankly, as we are retired and our lives are devoted to our gardening, poultry raising and woodworking activities, we respond well to our circadian rhythm and don’t really worry about the clock. We try to arrange medical, dental and other appointments towards the middle of the day, where a change time from standard time to/from daylight savings time doesn’t impact us. Our lives are regulated by the sun’s appearance and disappearance. It is a luxury we retired folk have earned and if we are wise enough to realize this, we enjoy.
<span>Julie</span> Sat, 03/11/2023 - 08:17
Given the choice I would choose standard time. I can't wrap my head around not seeing the sun in the winter until 9 a.m. It takes me weeks to reacclimate my poor pets feeding schedules every time the time changes. It messes up my schedules and takes weeks for me to adjust to the change as well. For heavens sake, why, why can't people just leave things along and go along with the way nature was engineered? Abolish this nonsense already.
<span>Sayles</span> Sat, 03/11/2023 - 07:35
Standard Time. DST does NOT provide an extra hour of daylight. Light lasts longer in the summer anyhow. All we are doing is shifting the daylight from morning to evening and plunging our mornings into darkness.