Pope Leo XIV submits first papal U.S. general election ballot

Pope Leo XIV became the first pontiff in history to vote in a U.S. general election. The Vatican announced on Friday that the Chicago-born leader submitted a mail-in ballot in Illinois ahead of the November midterm elections. The Holy See press office stated that Leo, formerly known as Robert Prevost, has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen whenever eligible.

The vote was initially reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, which cited the chief of staff at the Will County clerk’s office. According to that official, Prevost, who is registered at a New Lenox address, requested a mail-in ballot on October 3. It is currently unclear how the completed ballot was returned to the clerk’s office.

Prevost’s voting history extends back to 2000. Illinois State Board of Elections records show he voted in five primary elections during that period. He requested Democratic ballots twice and Republican ballots three times. The records do not indicate which specific candidates he supported, but they reveal a shift in party preference that aligns with his geographic moves.

While living in the heavily Democratic Cook County, Prevost requested Democratic primary ballots in 2008 and 2010. After relocating to the more conservative suburban Will County, he requested Republican primary ballots in 2012, 2014, and 2016. In general elections, no party declaration is required, allowing voters to choose from all candidates on the ballot.

The Vatican statement noted that Prevost also voted while living in Peru whenever he was eligible to do so. The Holy See emphasized that the pope believes in the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes. His brother, John Prevost, was in Rome this week accompanying parishioners from St. Jude’s, an Augustinian-run parish in New Lenox.

Robert Prevost attends Mass at St. Jude’s, where he delivered a talk in 2024 while still a cardinal. The parish is located in the same New Lenox community where he is registered to vote. The Vatican’s confirmation of his mail-in ballot marks a new precedent for papal civic engagement in American politics.

The records show Prevost submitted ballots in every general election since 2000 except for 2020 and 2022. The November 2026 election is the first time a sitting pope has cast a vote in a U.S. general election. The Will County clerk’s office holds the official record of his request and submission.