Most of us are used to changing the clock twice a year—moving it forward in the spring and back in the autumn. It’s called Daylight Saving Time (DST), and the idea is to make better use of daylight during longer summer days. But not every state in the US follows this rule.
In fact, Washington state doesn’t do Daylight Saving Time, and surprisingly, there’s another state that skips it too. Let’s look at the simple reason why.
Washington Wants to Quit DST—But Can’t Yet
Washington State wants to stop changing the clocks twice a year. In 2019, the state passed a law to stay on Daylight Saving Time permanently, meaning longer evenings all year round. Sounds good, right?
Here’s the catch: states can’t change DST rules on their own. They need approval from the US Congress. So even though Washington passed the law, they still have to follow the old clock-switching routine until Congress gives the green signal.
In short, Washington hasn’t quit DST yet—but it wants to.
Arizona: The One State That Actually Skips DST
Unlike Washington, Arizona doesn’t do Daylight Saving Time at all, and hasn’t since 1968.
Why? Because it’s super hot there in the summer. Longer daylight in the evening means people suffer through more heat. So instead, Arizona sticks to Standard Time all year—no clock changes, no confusion.
Interestingly, the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona does follow DST. So technically, Arizona has both DST and non-DST zones, depending on where you are in the state.
But Why Is Daylight Saving Time Still a Thing?
Good question! DST was originally introduced to save energy during World War I and II. The idea was that more sunlight in the evening would reduce the need for electric lights.
Today, the energy savings are small, and many people find the time change annoying and even unhealthy. Studies have shown that switching the clock can mess up sleep and even raise the risk of heart attacks for a few days.
That’s why more than a dozen states have passed laws wanting to ditch the time change, but they’re all waiting for Congress to allow it.
So What’s the Simple Reason Washington Doesn’t Do DST?
It’s not because they don’t want to—it’s because they haven’t been allowed to stop yet.
Washington wants to stay on Daylight Saving Time all year, but needs federal approval. Arizona, on the other hand, already stays on Standard Time all year because it’s too hot for longer summer evenings.
So while both states are against the twice-a-year time change, they’re doing it in opposite ways—and that’s what makes it so interesting.
Daylight Saving Time may feel like a routine, but not everyone agrees with it. While Washington wants to get rid of clock changes, it’s still waiting for Congress to say yes.
Meanwhile, Arizona made its own decision decades ago, sticking to one time all year. As more states push for change, we might soon see an end to Daylight Saving Time altogether. Until then, don’t forget to check your clocks—unless you’re in Arizona!
SOURCES
- (https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/01/23/daylight-saving-debate-washington-seattle)
- (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time_in_the_United_States)
- (https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleWA/comments/18debnv/new_bill_would_end_washingtons_twiceyearly_time/)
