Daylight Saving Time: A Dreaded Tradition for Most Americans

Thu Oct 30 2025 18:53:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As the clocks prepare to fall back an hour this weekend, a new poll reveals widespread discontent with daylight saving time, with most Americans preferring to keep the evening light.

The end of daylight saving time this Sunday brings mixed feelings for Americans. A recent poll shows that only 12% of U.S. adults support the current clock-changing system, while nearly half oppose it. Many favor a permanent switch to either standard time or daylight saving time, reflecting a national debate over timekeeping practices. Experts suggest one consistent time may benefit public health, yet the cultural tradition persists amid calls for change.

NEW YORK (AP) — Yes, you’ll get a shot at an extra hour’s sleep, but even with that, it might be one of the most dreaded weekends on the American calendar: the end of daylight saving time.

Only 12% of U.S. adults favor the current system of daylight saving time, which has people in most states changing the clocks twice a year, according to a new AP-NORC poll. Meanwhile, 47% oppose the practice, with 40% remaining neutral.

On Sunday at 2 a.m., clocks across the country will revert to standard time, granting an extra hour in the morning but depriving evening light. The transition is unwanted by many Americans, who prefer the longer daylight hours in the evening.

Residents like Pranava Jayanti from Los Angeles, who grew up in a region without clock changes, still feel the impact of the switch to daylight saving time. “When it actually happened, it still took me by surprise,” Jayanti noted regarding the rapid onset of darkness.

There have been repeated calls for the U.S. to discontinue the twice-yearly clock changes, including proposed legislation that stalled after being passed by the Senate in 2022. Voices from the American Medical Association and even President Trump have advocated for a consistent time year-round.

Despite the opposition, switching to permanent daylight saving time could also face backlash. The poll indicates that such a change would be divisive, particularly among those who prefer mornings.

The Unpopularity of the Time Change

The United States first adopted the time shift during World War I and continued with it intermittently until the 1966 law that allowed states to choose their time policies. Presently, all states comply with the practice except Arizona and Hawaii.

Research shows that while half of U.S. adults oppose the switch, many remain indifferent. This is especially true for adults under 30, nearly half of whom express neutrality on the subject. In contrast, those over 30 demonstrate a stronger aversion, with about half opposing the biannual clock adjustments.

Should a permanent time be chosen, most adults — 56% — would prefer making daylight saving time a year-round standard, as it affords more evening light, while approximately 40% would opt for sticking to standard time.

The division between 'morning people' and 'night owls' is apparent, with 61% of the latter advocating for permanent daylight saving time.

The Reasons Behind the Clock Change

Experts assert that no clear consensus exists on which time policy is superior for societal benefit. Research by Stanford University suggests a single time might be healthier than alternating, showing that standard time may confer slight health advantages.

Chad Orzel, a physics professor, reflects on how these clock changes have become ingrained in American culture, providing both early light in winter and late sunsets in summer. However, this satisfaction comes at the cost of the inconvenient two-time shift.

Ultimately, the AP-NORC poll, conducted from October 9-13, indicates a growing frustration with the tradition, leaving it uncertain whether the U.S. will continue to uphold this biannual clock-changing ritual.