Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a practice of setting the clock ahead by one hour during the summer months to take advantage of the longer daylight hours and save energy. However, not all states in the United States observe DST. In this article, we will discuss which states do not observe daylight saving time and why.
As of 2021, there are currently six states in the United States that do not observe daylight saving time. These states are Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands. Let’s take a closer look at each of these states and their reasons for not observing DST.
Arizona is the only state in the contiguous United States that does not observe daylight saving time. However, the Navajo Nation, which extends into three states (Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah), does observe DST. Arizona has not observed DST since 1967, and the state legislature voted to opt-out permanently in 1968. The reason for this is due to the high temperatures in the summer months, making it more favorable to have more sunlight in the cooler hours of the day, rather than the later hours of the evening.
Hawaii is the only state in the United States that is completely located in the tropics, and due to its location near the equator, the state has a relatively consistent amount of daylight throughout the year. Therefore, Hawaii does not observe daylight saving time.
Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands also do not observe daylight saving time. These territories are not considered states, but they are part of the United States. The reason for not observing DST in these territories is due to their tropical locations, which experience relatively consistent daylight throughout the year.
In recent years, some states have considered changing their DST status. For example, in 2019, the Florida legislature passed a bill to keep the state on daylight saving time permanently, but the bill did not go into effect due to federal approval requirements. Several other states have also considered ending daylight saving time or adopting permanent DST, but these efforts require approval from Congress.
In conclusion, six states in the United States do not observe daylight saving time. The reasons for not observing DST vary, but they are mostly related to the climate and location of these states and territories. Whether other states will follow in their footsteps remains to be seen, but it’s clear that daylight saving time will continue to be a topic of discussion and debate in the United States.
