LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) –  Before heading to bed on Saturday, March 8, Michiganders will move their clocks ahead one hour. The spring ahead/fall back tradition is more of a hassle to some residents, and that’s why one GOP state senator is backing legislation to let voters decide if daylight saving time (DST) should continue being observed.

State Sen. Thomas Albert (R-Lowell) introduced Senate Bill 126 which would put the question of whether to continue observing daylight saving time on the November 2026 election ballot. The bill has bipartisan sponsorship.

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“Is switching to daylight saving time worth the headaches? Does it have any valid reason for continuing in this day and age?” Senator Albert said. “We should let the people of Michigan decide once and for all.”

Why do we have DST?

DST popped up in the U.S. during World War I in 1918. It then went away shortly after the war ended and President Franklin D. Roosevelt reinstated DST year-round during World War II. Afterwards, different states observed it while others did not. In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act which gave states permission to opt out. Michigan voters rejected DST in 1968 but voted in favor of it in 1972.

“The alleged benefits of daylight saving time — particularly when it comes to energy savings — are questionable at best,” Albert said. “I don’t believe the benefits are worth the disrupted sleep, and the possible health and safety concerns raised by the time change. It’s time to let voters decide.”

Michigan Senate Republicans said states cannot remain on DST permanently, so the only two options are observing the time change twice a year or remaining on standard time throughout the year. Some constituents advocate for putting Michigan on Central Time permanently. Others said “longer” days in the summer with more daylight impacts Michigan’s tourism industry.