On Sunday, March 9, 2025, residents of Arizona, Hawaii, and several U.S. territories went about their day without the hassle of changing their clocks for daylight saving time (DST). Unlike many Americans, they will not revert to standard time this fall, as they adhere to this schedule year-round. It seems this practice suits them just fine, and they might not be alone. A growing chorus of voices across the United States is expressing discontent with the clock-switching ritual.
According to recent polling data, 54% of Americans are ready to eliminate daylight saving time altogether. This marks a significant change from the 1990s when nearly 75% supported the clock changes. Both major political parties are on the same page—majorities of Democrats and Republicans alike favor abandoning the biannual clock adjustments.
A YouGov poll from around 2023 echoed similar sentiments, showing 62% of respondents wanted to end the seasonal clock switching. The push to do away with DST has roots not only in modern convenience but also historical precedents. Originally introduced at the national level during World War I, DST aimed to conserve energy by extending daylight working hours.
Yet, it appears the promise of cost savings was largely unfounded. Studies indicate DST may actually increase energy consumption rather than decrease it. Research by Laura Grant and Matthew Kotchen of Claremont McKenna College found DST had led to annual increases of 1 to 4 percent in residential electricity demand, particularly during summer months when longer daylight hours led to increased use of air conditioning.
This counterintuitive finding has raised eyebrows, particularly following the 2024 study by Shinsuke Tanaka of the University of Connecticut, which discovered alarming health risks associated with clock changes. His research revealed a staggering 27% increase in heart attacks for two weeks following the spring transition to DST in Indiana, as people's sleep patterns suffered from the disruption. Such health effects have prompted serious discussions about the overall viability of the practice.
Evaluations surrounding the impact of daylight saving time extend beyond just energy and health. Economists have quantified the monetary costs associated with these biannual transitions. William F. Shughart II estimated the two clock changes could cost the United States about $1.7 billion annually (in 2008 dollars), when factoring the opportunity cost of resetting clocks. Adjusting for inflation and population growth, this estimate soared to around $2.5 billion.
Last year, Chmura Economics and Analytics calculated the annual costs linked to the clock changes at approximately $672 million, this figure attributed largely to increased health incidents—$374 million due to heart attacks, $251 million from strokes, and additional costs from workplace injuries and traffic accidents.
The origins of DST are intertwined with broader themes of energy usage and social engineering. It began as part of the Standard Time Act, enacted by Woodrow Wilson, then repealed shortly after. This practice only regained traction during World War II and later evolved with local governance prompted by the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which allowed states to choose whether to participate.
Notably, the practice is not universal across all states; Arizona and Hawaii have never adjusted their clocks. Numerous U.S. territories also refuse to observe DST, including Puerto Rico and Guam. Despite this, after years of public and political discourse, states are negotiating the future of daylight saving time. Over 700 pieces of legislation addressing DST have been introduced recently, with 20 states passing laws geared toward year-round daylight saving time if Congressional approval can be secured.
Among those champions is Texas, where Senator Judith Zaffirini has proposed legislation to allow Texas to adopt standard time year-round, diverging from the broader push to standardize daylight saving time. Zaffirini argues, "The twice-a-year clock change is disruptive and unnecessary," highlighting research linking these shifts to increased traffic accidents, detrimental health effects, and decreased productivity.
The federal government’s attempt to streamline DST met its most significant legislative milestone recently when the Senate approved the Sunshine Protection Act aiming to institute DST permanently; nonetheless, the bill stalled in the House, leaving behind uncertainty. Former President Donald Trump also expressed opposition to DST, emphasizing his intent to eliminate the practice entirely, which resonates with many citizens today.
The clock change phenomenon raises questions about our society's flexibility and adaptability. While daylight saving has its advocates, more Americans are realizing its associated inconveniences and pitfalls could very well outweigh the benefits. Even if it may appear minor, the biannual clock adjustment disrupts the daily life of millions and signifies larger reflection points on energy policy and public health strategies.
For now, America continues this age-old ritual of adjusting clocks semi-annually, but consensus is shifting. Will the nation see the end of daylight saving time soon, or will tradition continue to dictate our schedules? Only time will tell, but as public opinion solidifies against it, the pressure for change could become irresistible.