Daylight Saving Time Change Could Impact Midterms in These States Most
Summary
The article says the end of Daylight Saving Time two days before the midterm elections could make voting harder for some people, though its effect on turnout is uncertain. A University of Virginia researcher says earlier darkness may pose a greater barrier than the extra hour of sleep helps, especially for infrequent voters and people in rural areas.Key Facts
- Clocks are scheduled to fall back at 2 a.m. Eastern on Sunday, November 1, to 1 a.m.
- Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe Daylight Saving Time; the Navajo Nation in Arizona does.
- Researcher John Holbein said earlier darkness may reduce voting, while the extra hour of sleep may not benefit everyone because body clocks do not reset overnight.
- New Hampshire and Maine are cited as states where sunset occurs before 5 p.m., potentially making the change more consequential for voters.
- Rural voters may face longer trips to polling places and fewer early-voting options.
- The article identifies tight Senate contests in Iowa and Ohio, and Ohio's governor's race, as races involving influential rural voter bases.
- Holbein said the research describes conditions that may make voting more vulnerable to the time change but does not predict which races will be affected.
- Seasonal clock changes can disrupt sleep and affect alertness, concentration, and decision-making for up to seven days.
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