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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Many Americans feel that changing clocks is outdated.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>Tom</span> Wed, 02/08/2023 - 20:33
It's time for America to either pick either year round daylight time or year round standard time. This nonsense of spring forward fall back needs to end. I observe only year round daylight time since 2008 the year bush added an extra month to daylight time and it works just fine for me.
<span>Tracy Martin</span> Sun, 02/05/2023 - 22:36
We tried keeping standard time permanent back in the 70's and it didn't work. We need to stick with the original time, which is standard time. We need to keep standard time permanent for many reasons. If people really want daylight savings time, I would suggest having it only in the summer- in June, July and August when the kids are out of school.
<span>Donna</span> Fri, 01/20/2023 - 14:48
Please keep DST all year!!!
<span>Myriam Pierre</span> Thu, 12/08/2022 - 04:17
That bill,is not going to be passed.Even when the congress changes,don't expect that anytime soon.The time change us stressful,but I hate to tell you that it will never be done to where everyone agrees.And in some of the comments ,calling people fools,that won't change it either.Nighttime has been here since the beginning of time.The sun,moon and the stars belong to NO human being. They are tired of this man made thing.The winter solstice has been here for millennia,so it will NEVER be eliminated. Science finds that Standard Time benefits the world.Also crime does not stop because of daylight.In these major cities and suburbs, it gets reported day that crime happens frequently during daylight these days.The continued madness is just a result of greed and politicians who think they have the solution to these problems. It would be better to set the clocks half an hour like they did many years ago.However this debate will never end.
<span>Louis Bonneval, Jr</span> Wed, 12/07/2022 - 14:55
Keep DST year round!!!
<span>Jesse</span> Sat, 11/19/2022 - 06:23
Keep DST year round please! No more of those dreaded, horrible, and highly depressing pre 5:00 PM sunsets during the late fall, and early winter, which makes you feel like it's already reached at least close to midnight at 7:00 PM or so. Plus it would also suck to waste an hour of daylight if the sun were to rise at 4:30 AM in the middle of summertime, if virtually everybody is still sound asleep by then too! There's also a good reason why that time format is the favored one now, in case you fools who seriously want Standard Time to be the new norm haven't yet noticed for that matter as well!
<span>Jill</span> Sat, 03/11/2023 - 11:05
DST is the new norm, not Standard Time. Standard Time has been around for centuries. DST was only used periodically starting in the 20th century.
<span>William</span> Fri, 11/18/2022 - 15:46
The economy does better when it is lighter later. Having the sun rise at 4:30 am during the summer is really bad. And having the sun set at 4:30pm in the winter is so depressing. I think we should move the time ahead 2 extra hours. This would make the sun rise at 6:30 during the summer and set at 11pm. And during the winter it would set at 6:30pm. During the summer it is dark 6 hours. During the winter it is only light for 6 hours and I would like to have the sun come up at 10am and not drive home in the dark. It would be great to drive to work in the dark and be at work while it is dark. I would like it even more if it was dark till noon and had the sun out till 8pm in the winter.
<span>Christen</span> Fri, 11/18/2022 - 09:33
I would like to point out that clocks do not determine the amount of daylight we experience. The light is still there whether the clock says 12pm or 1pm. There is still the same amount of light hours whether we are following Standard Time or DST. Many of us have complete freedom to choose when we get up and go to bed, and the rest of us have some freedom for the same. To say that I can't get up when the sun does because my clock reads 4:30am instead of 5:30am is ridiculously untrue. I can also go to bed whether my clock reads 8pm or 9pm. Thus, the issue of "more" or "less" daylight depending on the time system is mostly a matter of personal willpower and discipline, not a government sanctioned time system.
<span>Melissa</span> Wed, 11/16/2022 - 07:50
I believe it should stay daylight savings time. Longer daylight makes for lesser depression in the winter months when already there is less sun. People need to be outside more and when it gets darker earlier they aren’t. So turn the clock ahead in the spring and than leave it be is my opinion.