Delaware is poised to adopt permanent daylight saving time, but the change hinges on action from neighboring states. In 2019, Delaware lawmakers passed legislation to eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes, but the law requires similar measures in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland before it can take effect. This ongoing wait highlights a broader national debate over the benefits and drawbacks of sticking with standard time versus embracing daylight saving time year-round.
The push for permanent daylight saving time stems from a desire to maximize daylight hours, potentially boosting economic activity and improving public safety. However, concerns remain about the impact on sleep schedules and potential health consequences. Delaware’s willingness to make the switch demonstrates a growing momentum for change, but regional cooperation is proving to be a significant hurdle. The state’s bill, notably, has no expiration date, offering continued hope for those seeking to end the practice of “falling back.”
Delaware’s Legislation and Regional Requirements
Former Delaware Governor John Carney signed the bill to make daylight saving time permanent in 2019, following its passage in both the state House and Senate. The legislation aimed to align Delaware with a potential broader shift in the region. However, the law explicitly states that it will only head into effect when Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland enact similar legislation. As of March 5, 2026, none of those states have followed suit.
Efforts to pass comparable bills have been made in all three neighboring states, but none have yet been signed into law. This regional dependency underscores the complexities of changing timekeeping practices, as coordinated action is necessary to avoid creating inconsistencies and disruptions across state lines. The situation in Delaware mirrors similar scenarios in other parts of the country, where states are waiting for neighboring jurisdictions to act before implementing permanent daylight saving time.
National Trends and Opposition to Changing Clocks
Delaware is not alone in considering a shift away from biannual time changes. Hawaii and Arizona currently do not observe daylight saving time. Most of Arizona has remained on Mountain Standard Time since 1968, citing the state’s hot climate as a key factor. However, the Navajo Nation within Arizona does observe daylight saving time. Hawaii has used Hawaii Standard Time year-round since 1967, due to its location near the equator. U.S. Territories including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands likewise remain on standard time throughout the year.
Nationally, public opinion appears to be shifting against daylight saving time. A 2025 Gallup survey revealed that 54% of Americans are not in favor of daylight saving time, while 40% support it, and 6% remain uncertain. This growing dissatisfaction has fueled calls for a national solution, rather than a patchwork of state-level changes. Former President Donald Trump previously expressed support for making daylight saving time permanent, stating in December 2024, “Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and remarkably costly to our Nation.” He later called it a “50-50 issue” and urged lawmakers to “push hard for more daylight at the end of a day.”
Daylight saving time was first introduced nationally in 1918 as a wartime measure to conserve fuel, and standardized through the Uniform Time Act of 1966. The practice requires most states to move clocks forward one hour in March and back in November.
What’s Next for Permanent Daylight Saving Time?
The future of permanent daylight saving time in Delaware, and across the nation, remains uncertain. The key to Delaware’s implementation lies with the legislative actions of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. Continued debate and potential legislative efforts in those states will determine whether Delaware can finally abandon the twice-yearly clock changes. The broader national conversation will likely continue, potentially leading to federal legislation that could override state-level decisions and establish a uniform time policy for the entire country.
Share your thoughts on permanent daylight saving time in the comments below. Do you think it’s time to ditch the clock changes, or should we stick with the current system?
