New Jersey does observe Daylight Saving Time—unlike Arizona and Hawaii, which are the only two U.S. states that do not participate in the clock changes each year.
Which States Don’t Do Daylight Saving?
The two states that do not observe Daylight Saving Time are Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii.
Several U.S. territories (such as Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands) also do not participate.
Why Arizona and Hawaii Don’t Observe DST
Arizona opts out due to its hot desert climate—adding an hour of evening daylight would increase air conditioning use and make outdoor activities uncomfortable in the summer heat.
Hawaii is close to the equator, resulting in minimal variation in daylight throughout the year—there’s simply no practical reason to adjust the clocks.
New Jersey’s Situation
New Jersey still observes DST; however, like many states, there is ongoing legislative debate about whether to switch to permanent standard time or permanent daylight saving time—but federal law currently only allows opting out to permanent standard time.
Bills to permanently end the biannual clock change have been introduced, but as of now, New Jersey is not exempt and continues to change clocks like most of the country.
Only Arizona (mostly) and Hawaii do not do DST—New Jersey still follows it, despite recurring debates, and cannot unilaterally end DST without federal approval for a permanent shift.
SOURCES
(https://pub.njleg.gov/bills/2022/A1500/1365_I1.HTM)
(https://patch.com/new-jersey/across-nj/what-nj-should-know-daylight-saving-time-debate-washington)(https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/daylight-saving-time-state-legislation)
(https://www.bts.gov/explore-topics-and-geography/geography/geospatial-portal/history-time-zones-and-daylight-saving)
(https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/4522217-daylight-saving-time-these-2-states-didnt-spring-forward-this-morning-heres-why/)
