Imagine not having to change your clocks twice a year.
California voters will help decide the future of Daylight Saving Time (DST) this November.
The act of turning clocks forward in the spring and back in the fall began in 1949 when voters approved the Daylight Saving Time Act.
Proposition 7 would repeal that and give state lawmakers the power to change Daylight Saving Time.
One woman says daylight saving can make jobs harder.
“It’s confusing, it’s difficult for a lot of things,” said Nicki Parker, a Paso Robles resident.” I worked in the medical field for years and there is a lot of equipment to use that is pre-programmed with dates so you have to change that around, you have to change the clocks.”
Assemblyman Kansen Chu brought the idea to the table in 2016. Chu and other supporters argue changing clocks and routines twice a year increases health risks and workplace injuries.
Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation in June sending the question to the ballot.
Whatever voters decide, it’s important to remember the amount of daylight would not change.
“In the winter we have approximately 10 hours of daylight, in the summer we have approximately 14 hours,” said Dr. Vardha Bennert, an astronomy professor at Cal Poly. “Now the question is, when do we want those 10 or 14 hours? Is it that extra hour in the morning, or that extra hour in the evening?”
Opponents say having an extra hour of darkness in the winter is dangerous for drivers.
“The children, it seems like they still have to go to school when it is very early. It’s still dark, maybe,” argued Mary Gabriel, a Paso Robles resident.
It could also impact the interaction with other states that remain on DST.
However, for a Cal Poly ROTC professor, the time shift doesn’t affect him. He wakes up before the sun no matter what the clock reads
“The amount of daylight we get or we don’t whether we fall back or spring forward is not really an issue for me,” said Hirui Gemechu, a San Luis Obispo resident.
Most states observe DST except Hawaii, parts of Arizona and some overseas territories.
A “YES” vote means you support potentially changing to a permanent Daylight Saving Time.
A “NO” vote means you support keeping Daylight Saving Time as is.
But even if the measure passes, Daylight Saving Time would not automatically go away. Voters would just be giving lawmakers the power to *vote* on getting rid of it or making it permanent.
Under the measure, a two-thirds vote is needed for it to pass.
