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# Fact brief: Has South Dakota ever held a vote to eliminate daylight saving time?
- URL: https://www.sdnewswatch.org/fact-brief-daylight-saving-time-standard-time-sd/
- Published: 2025-10-23T10:00:17.000Z
- Updated: 2025-10-24T10:52:13.000Z
- Description: A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
- Author: Michael Klinski
- Tags: Fact briefs, #feature-5

## Yes.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cb/ab/cbabab5e-2dc6-462c-94a0-b72956c0d224/content/images/2025/01/WhiteFACT-BRIEF--500-x-200-px--2-1-1.png)

South Dakota voters shot down an attempt to eliminate daylight saving time in a referendum in 1968, with 59% voting against the measure.

Two states – Hawaii and Arizona – observe standard time year-round. Nineteen states have voted to permanently observe daylight saving time year-round, but federal law only allows for standard time to be permanent. 

South Dakota state Rep. Carl Perry, R-Aberdeen, introduced legislation to permanently end daylight saving time in the state in 2025, but a committee rejected the plan 8-1.

Supporters of the proposal said it would improve sleep, health, public safety and avoid students having to adjust to the new time and losing focus at school.

Rep. John Sjaarda, R-Valley Springs, opposed the plan, saying daylight saving time is better for farmers.

Daylight saving time this year, where clocks “fall back” an hour to standard time, ends on Nov. 2.

*This fact brief responds to conversations such as* [*this one.*](https://www.reddit.com/r/SiouxFalls/comments/1obhxx4/love%5Fthis%5Ftime%5Fof%5Fyear%5Fwish%5Ftheyd%5Fhave%5Fgotten%5Fa/?ref=sdnewswatch.org)

### **Sources**

Ballotpedia, [South Dakota Refered Law 1 ](https://ballotpedia.org/South%5FDakota%5FReferred%5FLaw%5F1,%5FDaylight%5FSaving%5FTime%5FMeasure%5F%281968%29?ref=sdnewswatch.org)

The Hill, [These states approved permanent daylight saving time: Why their clocks still change in November](https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5526971-these-states-approved-permanent-daylight-saving-time-why-their-clocks-still-change-in-november/?ref=sdnewswatch.org)

National Conference of State Legislatures, [Daylight Saving Time | State legislation](https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/daylight-saving-time-state-legislation?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com)

KELO-TV, [Sun sets on attempt to end daylight savings in SD](https://www.keloland.com/keloland-com-original/sun-sets-on-attempt-to-end-daylight-savings-in-sd/?ref=sdnewswatch.org)

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