End of Daylight Saving Time Sparks Debate on Clock Changes

Thu Oct 30 2025 20:10:21 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As Americans prepare to set their clocks back an hour, a recent poll reveals widespread opposition to the current daylight saving time system, with many preferring the light in the evening over early mornings.

This weekend marks the end of daylight saving time, which resonates poorly with many Americans, according to a recent poll. While only 12% support the current system, the majority would favor permanent daylight saving time, reflecting personal preferences for more evening light. Calls to abolish the biannual clock changes continue as advocates argue for a stable timekeeping policy.

NEW YORK (AP) — It's that time again: a moment for an extra hour's sleep but also a shift into one of the most loathed weekends on the American calendar: the end of daylight saving time.

Only 12% of U.S. adults favor the current system that requires clock changes twice a year, a new AP-NORC poll reveals, while 47% are against it and 40% remain neutral. Most Americans would rather enjoy the extra hour of evening light than the additional hour of morning light.

On Sunday at 2 a.m. (local time), clocks will roll back one hour, signaling the return to standard time. This shift signifies shorter days and longer nights, creating dissatisfaction for many. Pranava Jayanti, 31, from Los Angeles, reflects this sentiment; having grown up in India, he found the abrupt change unsettling.

Despite the discomfort, the U.S. continues to enforce this bi-annual clock adjustment. Many advocate for legislation to eliminate these shifts, with support from organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and even former President Donald Trump. However, permanent daylight saving time remains unpopular amongst a significant cohort, especially those who cherish morning light.

The tradition of changing clocks has persisted since World War I, even as society becomes increasingly divided over its relevance. About half of U.S. adults oppose the switch, yet many are indifferent or contextualize the changes based on personal lifestyle preferences, leading to further debates on whether to switch to permanent daytime saving or standard time.

Reflecting this, the study finds that approximately 56% of the public would prefer daylight saving time over maintaining standard time, especially among those who identify as 'night people.'

So, while many may relish the fleeting benefit of an extra hour’s sleep, the larger conversation about how we measure time continues to pose questions regarding societal preferences and health implications.