District of Columbia Initiative Measure No. 86 — Prohibiting Force-Feeding of Birds Act of 2026
Ballot measure · November 3, 2026
- What it does
- If enacted, this Initiative would: (a) Prohibit any person from force-feeding a bird for the purpose of enlarging the bird’s liver beyond normal size; (b) Ban the sale or distribution of any product resulting from force-feeding a bird, including foie gras; (c) Define force-feeding as inserting a tube into the bird’s throat to deliver excessive feed; (d) Provide for enforcement by the Department of Energy and Environment during routine food safety inspections; and (e) Provide for civil penalties.
- A YES vote means
- DC law would prohibit force-feeding a bird to enlarge its liver and ban selling or distributing products from force-fed birds, including foie gras, with enforcement by the Department of Energy and Environment and civil penalties.
- A NO vote means
- The initiative would not be enacted, and DC would not adopt this prohibition on force-feeding birds or on selling or distributing products such as foie gras that result from it.
- Needed to pass
- A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
- Put on the ballot by
- citizen initiative.
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Quick answers
- What does a YES vote on District of Columbia Initiative Measure No. 86 mean?
- DC law would prohibit force-feeding a bird to enlarge its liver and ban selling or distributing products from force-fed birds, including foie gras, with enforcement by the Department of Energy and Environment and civil penalties.
- What does a NO vote on District of Columbia Initiative Measure No. 86 mean?
- The initiative would not be enacted, and DC would not adopt this prohibition on force-feeding birds or on selling or distributing products such as foie gras that result from it.
- How many votes does District of Columbia Initiative Measure No. 86 need to pass?
- A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
- Should I vote yes or no on District of Columbia Initiative Measure No. 86?
- SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
- When is the vote?
- The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting and mail-ballot deadlines vary by state; check your state or county election office.