Pope Leo XIV submitted a ballot in Chicago ahead of November 3, 2026 midterm elections, becoming the first pope to vote in a U.S. election.
Election officials have not yet received the pope’s completed ballot, highlighting procedural uncertainty around his historic vote.
Will County Clerk confirmed the pope underwent lung-cancer surgery earlier this month.
Registered as Robert Francis Prevost, he missed 2020-22 elections and rebuked President Donald Trump.
Center
Pope Still US Citizen
Pope Leo XIV mailed a ballot from Chicago on October 3, 2026, becoming the first pontiff to vote in a U.S. midterm election.
Vatican officials emphasized that the pope retains U.S. citizenship despite his permanent residence in the Vatican.
He has exercised his voting right whenever eligible, including elections in Peru, Vatican noted.
His ballot listed the race between Juliana Stratton and Don Tracy and Governor Pritzker’s reelection.
Blindspot
Will County Clerk’s Office confirmed Pope Leo XIV underwent lung-cancer surgery earlier this month.
Election officials have not yet received the pope’s completed ballot, creating procedural uncertainty about its processing.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.
History
On August 28 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, obligating all states and territories to let eligible citizens abroad register and vote by mail. Administered by the Federal Voting Assistance Program, the law now covers over six million military, federal and civilian voters. On November 3 2026, former diplomat Robert Francis Prevost, known as Pope Leo XIV, mailed his absentee ballot from Chicago.
1 of 4
Ballot Delivery Uncertainty
Pope Leo XIV submitted a ballot in Chicago ahead of November 3, 2026 midterm elections, becoming the first pope to vote in a U.S. election.
Election officials have not yet received the pope’s completed ballot, highlighting procedural uncertainty around his historic vote.
Will County Clerk confirmed the pope underwent lung-cancer surgery earlier this month.
Registered as Robert Francis Prevost, he missed 2020-22 elections and rebuked President Donald Trump.
