Debate Rages Over Daylight Saving Time Change

Biannual clock shift sparks division on best path forward

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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This weekend, most of the United States will once again 'spring ahead' and set clocks forward by one hour for daylight saving time. This biannual ritual has long been a source of frustration for many, with polls showing most people dislike the system of changing clocks twice a year. However, the political will to change the system has been elusive, as opinions on the issue and its potential impacts remain sharply divided.

Why it matters

The debate over daylight saving time touches on issues of sleep schedules, public safety, energy usage, and the overall convenience (or inconvenience) of the biannual clock change. Proponents of keeping daylight saving time argue it provides more daylight hours in the evening, while opponents say it leads to disruptions and point to the challenges of implementing a year-round change.

The details

Switching to permanent daylight saving time would mean later sunrises during the winter months, with the sun not rising until around 9am in some areas. Staying on standard time year-round would lead to very early summer sunrises, such as 4:11am in Seattle. There is no easy solution that satisfies all sides of the debate, leading to an ongoing political stalemate on the issue.

  • Clocks will 'spring ahead' one hour at 2am on Sunday, March 10, 2026.

The players

Jay Pea

President of Save Standard Time, an organization that advocates for switching to standard time permanently.

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What they’re saying

“There's no law we can pass to move the sun to our will.”

— Jay Pea, President, Save Standard Time

The takeaway

The debate over daylight saving time highlights the challenges of balancing the preferences of different regions and populations, as well as the difficulty of enacting major changes to a long-standing system that impacts daily life for millions of Americans.