Daylight Saving Time Debate Heats Up as States Consider Permanent Change

As the days get longer and the promise of spring approaches, the annual debate over daylight saving time (DST) is once again gaining momentum. While most of the United States “springs forward” in March and “falls back” in November, a growing number of states are exploring the possibility of making DST permanent, citing potential benefits for health, safety, and the economy.

Delaware’s Push for Permanent DST

In 2019, Delaware passed legislation to adopt permanent daylight saving time, contingent upon similar actions by neighboring states. As of March 5, 2026, Delaware is still awaiting action from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland to enact comparable laws. The Delaware bill has no sunset date, keeping the possibility of permanent DST alive.

The Broader National Conversation

Delaware is not alone in considering this change. The debate over whether to abolish standard time or daylight saving time has intensified in recent years. A 2024 Gallup poll found that 54% of Americans are not in favor of daylight saving time, while 40% are in favor.

States That Don’t Observe Daylight Saving Time

Currently, two U.S. States – Hawaii and Arizona – do not observe daylight saving time. Arizona has remained on Mountain Standard Time year-round since 1968, largely due to its hot climate. But, the Navajo Nation within Arizona does observe DST. Hawaii has used Hawaii Standard Time year-round since 1967, owing to its proximity to the equator. The U.S. Territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands also do not participate in DST.

A Brief History of Daylight Saving Time

Daylight saving time was first introduced nationally in the United States in 1918 as a wartime measure to conserve fuel during World War I by extending daylight working hours. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 established the current system of standardized time changes in the spring, and fall.

What is Daylight Saving Time?

Daylight saving time is the practice of advancing clocks during warmer months so that darkness falls later each day. Typically, clocks are set forward one hour on the second Sunday in March and back one hour on the first Sunday in November.

President Trump’s Stance

Former President Donald Trump has expressed support for making daylight saving time permanent, stating it is “inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation.” He has urged lawmakers to “push hard for more daylight at the end of a day.”

Key Takeaways

• Delaware is awaiting action from neighboring states to make daylight saving time permanent.
• A majority of Americans prefer to eliminate daylight saving time, according to recent polls.
• Hawaii and Arizona are the only states that do not observe DST.
• The debate over DST centers on potential benefits to health, safety, and the economy.