US Adjusts Clocks for Bi-Annual Time Change

The US will soon be adjusting its clocks for the bi-annual time change, but not all states will be participating in this ritual. On November 1, 2026, at 2 a.m. local time, most states will "fall back" an hour, marking the end of Daylight Saving Time.

However, there are two notable exceptions: Hawaii and most of Arizona will remain on Standard Time year-round. The reasons behind these exemptions are rooted in logistical considerations. For Hawaii, its proximity to the equator means that the time change does not have a significant impact on energy consumption or daily routines.

Hawaii's location near the equator also means that the daylight hours throughout the year do not vary significantly, making it unnecessary to adjust clocks twice a year. In contrast, Arizona's climate is characterized by extremely hot summers and mild winters, which would lead to increased energy costs if the state were to observe Daylight Saving Time.

The concept of adjusting clocks to make better use of natural daylight was first introduced during World War I in Germany as a way to conserve energy. By moving the clock forward an hour in the summer months, people could work during daylight hours and reduce their reliance on artificial lighting.

This idea eventually made its way to the US, where it was implemented in 1918 with the aim of saving energy. However, it was repealed just a year later due to public dissatisfaction. The practice was reinstated during World War II in 1942, but it wasn't until the Uniform Time Act of 1966 that a standardized Daylight Saving Time schedule was established across the US.

The Uniform Time Act of 1966 aimed to bring order to the chaos caused by states opting out of or having different start and end dates for Daylight Saving Time. However, despite this effort, there are still some states that choose not to participate in the bi-annual time change, resulting in a patchwork of schedules across the country.

The United States' experience with Daylight Saving Time has been marked by periods of adoption and repeal. Initially introduced during World War I, it was reinstated in 1942 as a wartime measure to conserve energy. Following the war, states were given the freedom to decide whether or not to adopt the practice.

This approach led to inconsistent schedules across different regions, causing confusion among travelers and businesses. In response, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act of 1966, establishing a standardized Daylight Saving Time schedule nationwide. However, this did little to address the issue of states opting out of the bi-annual time change altogether.

Indiana became the 48th state to join the clock-changing ritual in 2006. The decision was likely influenced by the desire for consistency with neighboring states and the rest of the country. Despite Indiana's participation, two states continue to resist the twice-yearly schedule adjustment.

These states are exempt from the bi-annual time change due to their geographical locations. Their unique climates mean that sunrise and sunset occur at similar times throughout the year, making it unnecessary to adjust clocks seasonally.

The two states currently not observing Daylight Saving Time are Hawaii and another yet unnamed state.

Hawaii's unique location near the equator means its residents don't need to adjust their clocks for Daylight Saving Time because sunrise and sunset occur at roughly the same time throughout the year.

As a result, people in Hawaii already follow a schedule that aligns with the sun, making it unnecessary to change their clocks. However, the state did try to adopt Daylight Saving Time briefly in 1933 before repealing the measure after just three weeks.

Arizona's decision not to observe Daylight Saving Time is largely due to its scorching summer temperatures. Many residents prefer to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day and wait until sunset to venture out, which would be even later if they had to adjust their clocks for Daylight Saving Time.

The heat also raises concerns about energy consumption, as people might need to use more electricity to cool their homes or conduct daily activities during the evening hours. This was one of the reasons Arizona tried to implement Daylight Saving Time in 1967 but ultimately only managed to stick with it for six months.

In both Hawaii and Arizona, the decision not to observe Daylight Saving Time is driven by practical considerations that take into account the unique characteristics of each state's climate and geography.

Arizona's hot desert climate means that even when daylight saving time is observed, the temperature remains high well into the evening hours. According to a 1969 article in the Arizona Republic, data clearly indicate that it is not until around 9 p.m. that nighttime activities can begin without the sweltering heat becoming unbearable.

For example, drive-in movies and moonlight rides are typically not feasible until this late hour when the temperature has dropped sufficiently. Similarly, convincing children to go to bed on time can be a challenge during the warmer months of daylight saving time in Arizona. The state's geography and climate simply do not lend themselves to the traditional benefits of adjusting clocks for seasonal time changes.

Not all residents of Arizona opt out of observing daylight saving time, however. Members of the Navajo Nation within the state choose to follow this schedule, ensuring that their clocks align with those of fellow tribal members living in Utah and New Mexico. This decision allows for greater consistency across these regions and facilitates communication and coordination among community members.

The same reasoning applies to several U.S. territories near the equator, which also reject daylight saving time. These include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The geographical location of several US territories is a key factor in their decision not to observe Daylight Saving Time. These territories are situated near the equator, which means that the duration of daylight throughout the year remains relatively consistent.

This characteristic makes it unnecessary to adjust clocks twice a year. As a result, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands all opt out of Daylight Saving Time, following Hawaii's lead in this regard.