Pope Leo XIV Requested an Illinois Mail Ballot. If He Casts It, He’d Be the First Sitting Pope to Vote in a U.S. Election
by Jerome London · Thought CatalogUpdated 33 minutes ago, October 30, 2026
Pope Leo XIV’s Illinois ballot was sent to the Vatican after he requested it on Oct. 3. As of Oct. 29, election officials in Will County still hadn’t received a completed ballot from him.
The pope is registered under his birth name, Robert Francis Prevost, at a New Lenox address reported to be his brother John’s home. His request for a mail ballot was confirmed by the Will County clerk’s office’s chief of staff, Kim Fladhammer. The ballot was dispatched from Joliet.
If he casts it, Leo would become the first sitting pope to vote in a U.S. election. Elected on May 8, 2025, he’s the first U.S.-born pope, and he kept his American citizenship.
He’s also a naturalized citizen of Peru. He previously voted absentee from Rome in the 2024 presidential election, when he was a cardinal.
Becoming a foreign head of state doesn’t automatically strip an American of citizenship. U.S. law requires an intent to give it up, and Leo hasn’t said he intends to do so. An Illinois elections spokesman said the federal law covering overseas American voters applies to him.
Election Day is Nov. 3. For his mail ballot to count, it must be postmarked by that date and reach election officials by Nov. 17. Whether he’s filled it out or sent it back remains unknown.
His Illinois ballot includes the race for retiring Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat, with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton as the Democratic nominee, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s bid for a 3rd term. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, the son of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, is seeking reelection in the congressional district associated with Leo’s registration. County and judicial races are also on the ballot.
Leo’s voting history includes Democratic primaries in 2008 and 2010 and Republican primaries in 2012, 2014 and 2016. Illinois doesn’t register voters by party, and choosing a primary ballot doesn’t establish party membership or reveal which candidates someone supported. He didn’t vote in the March 2026 Illinois primary.
If he votes in November, his participation can appear in public voter records. His candidate choices will remain secret.
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