Daylight Saving Time Arrives This Sunday: Why Arizona is Unfazed

As the nation prepares to “spring forward” for Daylight Saving Time (DST) this Sunday, Arizona remains unaffected. The state does not observe DST, allowing residents to avoid the hassle of adjusting their clocks.

This means that when the rest of the country adjusts their schedules, Arizonans will stay on Mountain Standard Time (MST) year-round. Consequently, Arizona will temporarily align with states like California, Nevada, and parts of Oregon during DST, while reverting to MST during standard time.

Historically, Arizona’s resistance to DST began in 1918, when it was first implemented to conserve energy during World War I. Local leaders in Maricopa County opposed the change, and by 1919, Phoenix found itself in a different time zone than the rest of Arizona. Despite some attempts to adopt DST thereafter, the state ultimately rejected it, citing concerns about increased energy consumption and discomfort from the heat.

Notably, the Navajo Nation, located in parts of Arizona, does observe DST, seeking to benefit from the time shift. In contrast, the Hopi Nation, entirely surrounded by the Navajo Nation, continues to follow Arizona’s example and does not change their clocks.

For those curious about the implications of not observing DST, the state’s permanent MST means that during standard time, Arizona shares the same time zone as New Mexico, Colorado, and several other states. This unique scheduling sets Arizona apart as one of only two states—the other being Hawaii—that do not participate in the biannual clock adjustments.

In recent discussions about the future of DST, some states have expressed interest in making DST permanent, yet no adjustments have been made. Even if such legislation passes, Arizona would remain largely unaffected given its current time practices.