61% of Americans Want to End Daylight Saving Time, States Push for Permanent DST
A 2022 poll revealed that a majority of Americans, specifically 61%, favour ending the biannual clock change for Daylight Saving Time (DST). Several states, including Florida, Kalifornien, and Washington, have proposed legislation to make DST permanent, but await federal approval.
DST has been a tradition in Seattle since 1933, with other cities following suit. However, the idea of moving to permanent Pacific Standard Time has stalled in committee, with no progress in the nation's capital. In Washington state, State Sen. Marcus Riccelli sponsored legislation to stop switching clocks, citing overwhelming constituent support.
Washington's legislation requires congressional approval, but attempts have been blocked in Washington, D.C. The lack of uniform time across the state led to scheduling chaos and confusion, causing cities to revert to standard time. In 2023, Sens. Mike Padden and Manka Dhingra cosponsored legislation to move Washington to Pacific Standard Time year-round.
Washington voters initially banned DST in 1952 but approved it again in 1960. The federal government mandated it in 1966. In 2019, the Washington Legislature approved a bill to move the state to year-round DST, joining 18 other states with similar desires. An alternative approach is to move to permanent Pacific Standard Time, as seen in Arizona and Hawaii.
The desire to end the biannual clock change for DST is growing, with 61% of Americans in favour. Several states have proposed legislation to make DST permanent, but federal approval is needed. Washington state has seen both support and opposition for the change, with ongoing efforts to move to permanent Pacific Standard Time.
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