# Leap second vote could end timekeeping rules

> International timekeepers may vote to eliminate leap seconds by May 2027, risking major tech disruptions.
- Title: Leap second vote could end timekeeping rules · Ksl | Shortify
- Summary: International timekeepers may vote to eliminate leap seconds by May 2027, risking major tech disruptions. BIPM members will vote Thursday to drop leap…
- Keywords: leap second, bipm, coordinated universal time, atomic time, earth rotation, timekeeping, negative leap second, 2027, 2035, tech disruption, science, Leap
- Source: Ksl — https://ksl.com/article/51635741/the-leap-second-is-on-the-chopping-block--and-timekeeping-could-change-forever
- Published: 2026-10-13T23:27:58+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: leap second, bipm, coordinated universal time, atomic time, earth rotation, timekeeping, negative leap second, 2027, 2035, tech disruption, science
## Leap second vote on Thursday
International timekeepers may vote Thursday to eliminate leap seconds by May 2027.
## What is a leap second?
Leap seconds align Earth's rotation with Coordinated Universal Time but cause tech issues.
## Leap seconds cause problems
The extra second crashed Reddit and LinkedIn and knocked out Qantas' booking system in 2012.
## BIPM proposes change
BIPM proposes letting atomic time drift from astronomical time, potentially creating a leap hour.
## Why ditch leap seconds?
The 69 member states of BIPM will vote on a resolution to ditch leap seconds by May 2027.
## Leap seconds' history
Leap seconds have been inserted 27 times since 1972 to sync Earth's rotation with atomic clocks.
## Earth's rotation issues
Earth's wobbling rotation causes leap seconds, exacerbated by climate change and ice melt.
## Negative leap seconds
A negative leap second could subtract a second from Coordinated Universal Time by 2035.
## Tech disruption risks
Critical infrastructure operators are 'largely unprepared' for negative leap seconds.
## Russia and UK opposition
Russia opposed leap second removal due to GLONASS, while the UK initially opposed due to Greenwich's cultural role.
## BIPM's 2022 vote
BIPM member countries voted in 2022 to phase out leap seconds by 2035.
## Leap hour proposal
BIPM proposes atomic time drifts from astronomical time, with a max 3,600-second difference.
## Future implications
Future generations may need to take a 'leap hour' if atomic time drifts significantly.
## Key takeaway

BIPM members will vote Thursday to drop leap seconds, potentially causing tech outages but avoiding negative leap seconds by 2035.