Washington, DC and Denver voters approve foie gras bans

Voters in Washington, DC and Denver backed measures on Nov. 3 to end the sale of force-fed foie gras, with both bans set to take effect July 1, 2027. The results add two more U.S. jurisdictions to a growing list of places restricting the controversial product.

Why it matters: - The votes expand the number of U.S. places restricting force-fed foie gras. - The measures target a production method critics say depends on force-feeding birds, making the issue both an animal-welfare and consumer-policy fight. - Pro-Animal Future says the wins mark the first foie gras bans in the U.S. approved directly by voters.

What happened: - Voters in Washington, DC, and Denver approved ballot measures on Nov. 3 ending the sale of force-fed foie gras. - In Washington, DC, Initiative 86, the Prohibiting the Force-Feeding of Birds Act of 2026, won 73% of the vote, or 97,432 votes, according to unofficial election-night results from the DC Board of Elections. - The DC measure won more than 70% in each of the District's eight wards. - In Denver, Initiated Ordinance 311 passed with 66.55% of the vote, or 136,559 votes, according to unofficial results from the Denver Elections Division. - Both measures take effect July 1, 2027.

The details: - In Washington, DC, 198 circulators collected 46,020 signatures, and the Board verified 31,726 signatures, above the 28,728 required. - In Denver, 84 volunteers collected more than 16,000 signatures. - The sale of force-fed foie gras is already prohibited in California, New York City, Pittsburgh and Portland, Oregon. - Portland adopted a similar ordinance in June 2026. - Pro-Animal Future ran both campaigns and also led the Portland effort. - The group's campaign committees, Pro-Animal DC and Pro-Animal Colorado, sponsored Initiative 86 and Initiated Ordinance 311.

Between the lines: - The results show animal-welfare campaigns gaining traction through local ballot measures, not just city council action. - The spread across Portland, Washington, DC and Denver suggests the issue has moved beyond one region and into larger urban voting blocs. - Eva Hamer, executive director of Pro-Animal Future, framed the outcome as a broader shift in public sentiment toward bird welfare.

What's next: - Restaurants and retailers in Washington, DC, and Denver will need to comply before the July 1, 2027 effective date. - The new bans add momentum for similar efforts in other cities and states. - Pro-Animal Future is likely to use the election results as proof of voter support in future campaigns.

The bottom line: - Washington, DC and Denver voters just added two more major U.S. cities to the foie gras restriction map, and they did it at the ballot box.**