As daylight saving time begins in 2024, most of the United States will adjust their clocks forward an hour, losing an hour of sleep. However, there are two states and several territories that do not observe daylight saving time. This article will explore the reasons behind this and provide a full list of the states and territories that don’t participate in daylight saving time.
States and Territories that Don’t Observe Daylight Saving Time
According to the Department of Transportation, there are two states and five U.S. territories that do not observe daylight saving time. The states are Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii. The territories include American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is worth noting that Indiana only adopted daylight saving time in 2006.
Why Doesn’t Every State Have Daylight Saving Time?
Daylight saving time was established as a legal requirement by the Uniform Time Act of 1966. However, states have the option to exempt themselves from observing daylight saving time without seeking permission from the Department of Transportation. While states can choose not to participate in daylight saving time, they cannot choose to be on permanent daylight saving time. Additionally, states do not have the authority to independently change time zones or the length of daylight saving time, as these decisions are determined by the federal government.
Reasons behind Opting Out
The states and territories that have opted out of daylight saving time have done so for various reasons. Let’s take a closer look at Arizona and Hawaii as examples.
Arizona made the decision not to observe daylight saving time in 1968 due to its hotter temperatures and desert climate. When the clocks spring forward, sunset occurs an hour later, which would keep people out later during the already hot months. Additionally, longer daylight hours in the evening would lead to increased energy usage in households during the hot summers.
Hawaii, on the other hand, determined in 1967 that it did not need to disrupt its schedules to account for changes in daylight. Due to its proximity to the equator, Hawaii receives sufficient sunlight throughout the day, regardless of the time of year.
Public Opinion and Efforts to Change Daylight Saving Time
Public opinion regarding daylight saving time has been mixed. A 2022 CBS News/YouGov poll revealed that nearly 80% of Americans supported changing the current system. Among those surveyed, 46% favored permanently shifting an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening, while 33% wanted to eliminate daylight saving time altogether.
In response to the dislike of time changes, several states have attempted to end daylight saving or adopt it permanently. For instance, Colorado passed a law in 2022 calling for year-round daylight saving time, but it is contingent upon Congress enacting a federal law allowing states to remain on daylight saving time all year. Massachusetts also held hearings in October on two bills, one aiming to make daylight saving time permanent and the other seeking to abolish it and restore standard time year-round.
There have also been federal efforts to address daylight saving time. A bill introduced in 2022 aimed to make daylight saving time permanent but stalled in the House. The bill was reintroduced in 2023 and is currently still in committee.
Conclusion
While most states and territories in the United States observe daylight saving time, there are exceptions. Arizona and Hawaii, along with several territories, have chosen not to participate for various reasons related to climate, energy usage, and geographical location. Public opinion regarding daylight saving time is divided, with some advocating for permanent changes or elimination of the practice. Efforts have been made at both the state and federal levels to address these concerns and potentially modify daylight saving time regulations.
