Daylight saving time: when it ends and which states want to opt out

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: WHEN IT ENDS, WHICH STATES WANT TO SKIP TIME CHANGE

Daylight saving time (DST) continues to stir debate nearly six decades after Congress passed the Uniform Time Act in 1966. While most U.S. states adhere to the twice-annual clock changes, some are pushing to abandon the practice altogether. The main contention revolves around whether to eliminate the biannual shifts or permanently keep daylight saving time. As the country approaches the end of daylight saving time this year, some states are considering legislative changes to opt out entirely.

When do clocks change this year?

Under federal law, daylight saving time will end on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, at 2 a.m. Clocks will then spring forward again on March 9, 2025, for the next daylight saving cycle. Despite the consistency in timing, some states are looking to exit the practice, citing various reasons, including health concerns, economic impacts, and public safety.

Do all states participate in daylight saving time?

Most states in the U.S. observe daylight saving time, but Arizona and Hawaii have opted out. These two states remain on standard time year-round. In Arizona’s case, the extreme heat during summer months makes an extra hour of daylight less desirable. Hawaii, positioned closer to the equator, experiences little variation in daylight throughout the year, making the practice of changing clocks unnecessary.

Can states decide their own time?

The Uniform Time Act allows states to opt out of daylight saving time and maintain standard time year-round. However, states do not have the authority to implement permanent daylight saving time without federal approval. This is a critical point of contention for several states that want to stay on daylight saving time throughout the year. 

Multiple states have passed laws indicating their intent to make daylight saving time permanent should Congress amend the Uniform Time Act to allow such a change. According to KGW, states like Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee have already enacted legislation to shift permanently to daylight saving time once given the green light by federal lawmakers.

Ongoing efforts in Illinois, Indiana

Illinois and Indiana are among the states where efforts to enact permanent daylight saving time have seen varying degrees of support. In Illinois, several bills have been introduced in the state legislature, though none have passed the General Assembly. Supporters argue that year-round daylight saving time could reduce energy consumption and increase recreational time after work, while critics raise concerns about the effects on morning routines, particularly for schoolchildren.

Indiana presents a unique challenge as it is split between two time zones. Most of the state follows Eastern Time, while some counties near Chicago—Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, and Jasper—adhere to Central Time. This division complicates efforts to standardize timekeeping across the state. In Michigan, a referendum was proposed that would have allowed residents to vote on the future of daylight saving time. However, the initiative did not pass in time to appear on the 2024 ballot.

Federal roadblocks and future of daylight saving time

The push to eliminate the clock changes or move to permanent daylight saving time faces significant hurdles. Federal law currently prohibits states from adopting daylight saving time permanently without congressional approval, which has yet to materialize. The Sunshine Protection Act, a bill introduced in Congress that would make daylight saving time permanent nationwide, has gained attention but has not been passed.

The future of daylight saving time remains uncertain as debates persist. Advocates for permanent DST argue that it would provide more daylight in the evening, leading to economic benefits and improved public safety due to fewer traffic accidents during darker hours. Opponents, however, point to the potential downsides, such as darker winter mornings, which could pose risks for children heading to school and those commuting to work.

As November 3 approaches, the nation will once again roll back the clocks. Whether daylight saving time continues as it has for decades or if sweeping reforms change the way Americans observe time, the conversation around DST is far from over.