COLUMBUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Ohioans will once again change their clocks as daylight saving time continues to shape daily life across the state. In 2026, clocks are scheduled to move back one hour on November 1, returning Ohio to standard time.
The twice-yearly time change has long drawn criticism from residents, lawmakers and health experts who cite disrupted sleep, confusion and impacts on work and school schedules. Supporters of daylight saving time, however, say longer evening daylight benefits recreation, businesses and tourism.
Efforts to stop the clock changes have gained attention in Ohio and across the country. Ohio lawmakers have periodically considered legislation supporting permanent daylight saving time or permanent standard time. However, Ohio cannot independently adopt permanent daylight saving time under current federal law. Congress would first need to change the Uniform Time Act.
The federal Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent nationwide, has been introduced in Congress but has not become law. A permanent change to standard time would be permitted under current federal rules, but states choosing that option would still need to pass legislation.
For now, Ohio remains on the existing schedule: clocks move forward in March and back in November. Any permanent change would require action from both Ohio lawmakers and, depending on the proposal, Congress.
Until then, residents should continue checking their clocks each spring and fall—and use the time changes as reminders to replace smoke-alarm batteries and review emergency plans.