Many Americans dread the biannual ritual of “springing forward” and “falling back” for daylight saving time (DST). Yet, there’s a common misconception that Ohio is among the handful of states that refuse to participate in this time-changing tradition. Here’s the real story, and the simple logic behind the two states that truly do not observe DST.
Does Ohio Observe Daylight Saving Time?
No, Ohio does not exempt itself from daylight saving time. In fact, like most of the United States, Ohio dutifully changes its clocks twice a year—one hour forward each March and one hour back each November, as directed by federal law. Ohio’s legislature has debated making DST permanent or abolishing the time change, but for now, the Buckeye State still adjusts its clocks with the seasons.
Why the Confusion?
The confusion may arise because some lawmakers and members of the public in Ohio have advocated for staying on either permanent standard time or permanent daylight saving time. However, the Uniform Time Act of 1966 requires states to observe the change unless they opt for year-round standard time. Ohio has considered but not enacted any law to permanently opt out; it is currently not allowed, under federal law, to stay on DST year-round.
The States That Truly Don’t Do Daylight Saving Time
While Ohio still actively participates in DST, only two states in the U.S. opt out:
Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation)
Hawaii
Several U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands) also do not observe DST.
The Reason: Why Arizona and Hawaii Opt Out
Arizona
Arizona’s refusal to observe DST dates back to 1968. The state’s desert climate means that residents want to avoid extra daylight during the hottest part of the day. By not “springing forward,” Arizona keeps its sunsets and cooler evening temperatures coming sooner, which reduces energy use during sweltering summers and keeps people indoors during peak heat.
Hawaii
Hawaii, sitting near the equator, experiences little variation in daylight hours throughout the year. For Hawaiians, changing the clocks makes no sense, since sunrise and sunset times remain quite consistent regardless of the season. DST would bring virtually no benefit, so the state simply stays on standard time all year.
Can Ohio Join Their Ranks?
Technically, under current federal law, Ohio could opt out—but only to stay on permanent standard time, as Arizona and Hawaii have done. To switch to permanent daylight saving time, federal law must change. Ohio and at least 20 other states have passed resolutions or bills asking Congress to let them observe DST year-round, but none have successfully made the leap.
A Quick Comparison
| State | Observes DST? | Why/Why Not? |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | Yes | Follows federal law; debates ongoing, no exemption |
| Arizona | No | Energy savings and comfort in extreme heat |
| Hawaii | No | Minimal daylight variation near the equator |
The Takeaway
The simple reason Ohio doesn’t opt out of daylight saving time is because it hasn’t passed a law to stay on standard time all year—unlike Arizona and Hawaii, whose climate and location make DST unnecessary or even unwanted. Until Congress acts to let states permanently “lock the clock,” Ohioans will keep changing their clocks twice a year, sharing complaints with nearly the entire country.
So, if you’re looking for places where you never have to change your clocks, you’ll have to move to Arizona, Hawaii, or one of several U.S. territories—not Ohio. The debate continues, but for now, most of America—including the Buckeye State—still springs forward and falls back.
Sources
[1] https://www.timeanddate.com/time/change/usa/ohio
[2] https://www.yahoo.com/news/daylight-saving-time-clocks-spring-113000793.html
[3] https://www.peakofohio.com/local-news/daylight-saving-time-set-to-begin
[4] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/states-without-daylight-saving-time/
[5] https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/daylight-savings-time-by-state
