A Ballot From the Vatican: Pope Leo XIV Votes in America's Midterms

A Ballot From the Vatican: Pope Leo XIV Votes in America's Midterms

A Vatican Statement Makes History

The Vatican confirmed on October 30 that Pope Leo XIV has submitted a mail-in ballot for the November midterm elections in the United States, making him the first pontiff in history to vote in a U.S. election. "Pope Leo XIV has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so," the Holy See press office said. "In keeping with this long-standing practice of civic participation, he has submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago."

A Chicago Native Still on the Illinois Rolls

Leo, 71, is the first American-born pope. Born in Chicago as Robert Francis Prevost, he remains a registered voter in New Lenox, Illinois. Kim Fladhammer, chief of staff to the Will County clerk, confirmed that the pope, registered under the name Robert Francis Prevost, requested a mail-in ballot on October 3. The completed ballot travels from Vatican City to Joliet, Illinois.

The Scoop Started in Chicago

The story was first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times on October 29, which quoted the Will County clerk's office on the October 3 request. NBC News added that the clerk's office had not yet received the pope's completed ballot at that point; the Vatican subsequently confirmed the ballot had been submitted.

A Bipartisan Voting Record

Records held by the Illinois State Board of Elections show that since 2000, the pope has voted in five primary elections, taking Democratic ballots twice and Republican ballots three times. The records do not reveal which candidates he backed. Public records obtained by NBC News show he voted in the 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2024 general elections, while the AP, citing state election board records, reported he voted in every general election since 2000 except those in 2020 and 2022; the two accounts differ. He did not vote in Illinois' March primary this year.

He Also Voted While Living in Peru

The Vatican statement added that during his years of residence in Peru, the pope "exercised his right to vote whenever he was eligible to do so." The statement quoted his conviction: "The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes." Michael Walsh, a British historian of the papacy, said Leo is likely the first pope ever to vote in a secular democratic election.

A Ballot Requested Days Before Lung Surgery

The vote comes as the pope recovers from lung surgery. He underwent a roughly 90-minute operation to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, which contained a cancerous nodule later confirmed as lung adenocarcinoma and was discharged from the hospital on October 17. His October 3 ballot request came just ten days before the surgery. The Vatican said the procedure was successful and without complications, the condition was localized, and no further oncological treatment is necessary.

How Illinois Mail Voting Works

Matt Dietrich, spokesman for the Illinois State Board of Elections, explained that any registered Illinois voter may vote by mail without giving a reason; the old concept of an "absentee ballot" no longer exists in state law. Federal rules also allow eligible Americans living abroad to vote by mail. Applications for this year's midterms opened on August 5 and closed on October 29, so the pope's October 3 request fell comfortably inside the window.

What's on the Ballot This November

The November election in Illinois includes the governor's race, a U.S. Senate seat, and a range of state and local offices. The Vatican did not say whom the pope voted for. Leo has previously been critical of the Trump administration, and his participation is already being read as a symbol of civic engagement for American Catholics.

Why One Envelope Matters

A single envelope from Vatican City to Joliet has settled a question no one ever had to answer: should a pope vote? To supporters, it models the civic duty expected of every believer. To skeptics, it risks having every papal preference magnified into a political signal. Either way, the ballot is now part of history.