Ballot question
Initiative 86: Prohibiting Force-Feeding of Birds Act of 2026
- On the ballot in
- District of Columbia
- Vote
- Yes or no
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
The question, as printed on the ballot
Initiative Measure No. 86, Prohibiting Force-Feeding of Birds Act of 2026. 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
The District would ban force-feeding birds to enlarge their livers and selling products made that way, including foie gras, with civil penalties.
A “No” vote means
No new ban: the District's rules on force-feeding birds and selling foie gras stay as they are.
Official plain English statement
Fiscal impact statement (written by the District's Office of the Chief Financial Officer, January 21, 2026): Funds are not sufficient in the fiscal year 2026 through fiscal year 2029 budget and financial plan to implement the proposed initiative. The initiative’s implementation will cost $314,000 over the four-year financial plan period. The initiative’s implementation is subject to the inclusion of these costs in an approved budget and financial plan.
An initiative: proposed by petition, not by the Council. The Council can amend or repeal an initiative after it takes effect.
Sources
- Sample ballot, November 3, 2026 General Election: Ward 1 · District of Columbia Board of Elections
- Sample ballot, November 3, 2026 General Election: Ward 3 · District of Columbia Board of Elections
- Sample ballot, November 3, 2026 General Election: Ward 5 · District of Columbia Board of Elections
- Sample ballot, November 3, 2026 General Election: Ward 6 · District of Columbia Board of Elections
- Sample ballot, November 3, 2026 General Election: Wards 2, 4, 7 and 8 · District of Columbia Board of Elections
- Fiscal Impact Statement: Prohibiting the Force-Feeding of Birds Act of 2026 (Initiative Measure No. 86) · District of Columbia Office of the Chief Financial Officer (posted by the Board of Elections)
The question and plain English statement are copied word for word from official election materials. The Gist does not take a side on ballot questions.