Pope Leo requested mail ballot for Illinois midterms, says clerk October 30, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News (OSV News) — Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV requested a mail ballot for the upcoming Illinois midterm elections, according to a county official. The Chicago Sun-Times reported Oct. 29 that the pope had placed the request Oct. 3. Pope Leo — who remains a U.S. citizen, as well as a citizen of Peru — stands to become the first pontiff to vote in a U.S. election should he cast his ballot. The newspaper confirmed the ballot request with Kim Fladhammer, chief of staff for the Will County, Illinois, clerk’s office. Speaking to the Sun-Times, Fladhammer said that “Robert Francis Prevost” — the pope’s given name prior to his papal election — “is on the list of individuals who requested a vote by mail ballot for the upcoming election” in Illinois. The newspaper said the pope is registered at a New Lenox, Illinois, address — the same town in which his elder brother John lives. The Sun-Times, citing voting records, said that the future pope had voted in several previous elections: the Republican primaries of 2012, 2014 and 2016; the Democratic primaries of 2008 and 2010; and the general elections of 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2024. However, he did not vote in the state’s March primary this year. The newspaper clarified that Illinois voters “do not have to register by party and can choose parties for their primary ballot.” In addition, any Illinois registered voter has the option to cast a ballot by mail. NBC News’ Chicago affiliate confirmed with the county clerk’s chief of staff that the pope’s ballot had not yet been received as of Oct. 29. The Will County ballot includes the U.S. Senate and governor races, along with several county and judicial posts. In a message to participants at an April plenary session of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, Pope Leo highlighted authentic democracy, which “recognizes the dignity of every person and calls each citizen to participate responsibly in the pursuit of the common good.” He cited St. John Paul II, who “affirmed that the Church values democracy because it ensures participation in political choices.” Quoting from St. John Paul’s 1991 encyclical “Centesimus Annus,” he added that democracy also offers people “the possibility both of electing and holding accountable those who govern them, and of replacing them through peaceful means when appropriate.” Pope Leo said that “democracy remains healthy, however, only when rooted in the moral law and a true vision of the human person.” Read more Vatican News Pope Leo sends special message of support to interfaith immigration policy summit Election cycle will influence when pope heads to US, top Vatican diplomat says Pope Leo to meet with abuse victims during Latin America visit, Vatican says Catholics must engage with modern culture, not reject it, pope says Pope Leo to offer 12 public Masses in November, including in a Rome cemetery Montse Alvarado prepares to step into Vatican communications prefect role Nov. 1 Copyright © 2026 OSV News Print
