Proposed ballot initiative would exempt Washington DC from daylight saving time
A proposed ballot initiative in Washington D.C. aims to exempt the city from observing Daylight Saving Time, potentially allowing residents to stop changing their clocks twice a year.The D.C. Board of elections has approved the initiative, which was introduced by Daniel Bernier, and supporters now have six months to collect signatures from 5% of residents, ensuring portrayal from five of the city’s eight wards. This initiative has garnered positive reactions, including support from Randy Clarke, the CEO of the Washington Metropolitan area Transit Authority, who noted it could create interesting scheduling scenarios for public transport in neighboring states. the positions of Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Maryland Governor Wes Moore on this issue remain unclear, though Youngkin has previously indicated support for not changing clocks, citing Arizona’s decision to do the same. The proposal reflects a broader discussion on the relevance and practicality of Daylight Saving Time in today’s society.
Proposed ballot initiative would exempt Washington DC from daylight saving time
Washington D.C. residents could potentially quit changing their clocks on a bi-annual basis if a ballot initiative gets the thumbs-up from the capital voters.
The D.C. Board of Elections signed off on the initiative to exempt the nation’s capital from Daylight Saving Time, marking a big step for getting it to voters. The initiative, proposed by Daniel Bernier, now has six months to collect signatures from 5% of the city’s residents, which must include 5% of voters in five of D.C.’s eight wards.
The proposal has received positive attention from Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority CEO Randy Clarke, suggesting it would be “fun” for residents outside of Washington D.C. to experience different times while traveling through the city.
“Would be fun scheduling trains or buses that leave VA @ 7am, arrive @ 6am in DC then arrive after 7am in MD,” Clarke wrote on X. “Just little things like that have to get worked out.”
Would be fun scheduling trains or buses that leave VA @ 7am, arrive @ 6am in DC then arrive after 7am in MD. Just little things like that have to get worked out 🤔 https://t.co/LHWK5inyja
— Randy Clarke (@wmataGM) June 11, 2025
It is unclear where Govs. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) and Wes Moore (D-MD) stand on Washington D.C. ridding itself of Daylight Savings Time, as Virginia and Maryland border the Capitol. However, Youngkin previously praised the state of Arizona for its rejection of the bi-annual time change.
The Washington Examiner has contacted the offices of both governors for comment.
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Earlier this year, President Donald Trump backed a Congressional push to make Daylight Saving Time permanent across the nation. He called the changing of the clocks “a big inconvenience,” and that both the House and the Senate should “push hard for more Daylight at the end of a day.”
Last year, then-Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), who has since become Trump’s secretary of state, renewed his push for the Sunshine Protection Act, which he said would end the “stupid practice” of changing the clocks.
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