Pope Leo Requests Illinois Mail Ballot
The Chicago-born pontiff will vote by mail in the 2026 midterm elections from his office in Vatican City.
By Marco Alvarez ·
Robert Francis Prevost, the leader of the Catholic Church, requested a mail ballot to vote in the upcoming Illinois midterm elections. The Will County clerk’s office confirmed on October 29 that the pope is registered at an address in New Lenox and submitted his request on October 3. Kim Fladhammer, chief of staff for the Will County clerk, verified that Prevost is on the list of individuals who asked to vote by mail.
The ballot will travel from Joliet to Vatican City. Prevost has served as pope since May 2025, following the appearance of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel. He will cast his vote in several races, including the U.S. Senate contest to replace Sen. Dick Durbin and the gubernatorial race where Gov. JB Pritzker seeks reelection. The ballot also includes Will County judicial and county positions.
Records indicate Prevost has a consistent voting history in Illinois. He participated in the Republican primaries in 2012, 2014, and 2016. He also voted in the general elections of 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2024. Additionally, he voted in the Democratic primaries in 2008 and 2010. He did not vote in the March primary this year. Illinois law allows registered voters to choose which party’s primary ballot they receive without registering with a specific party.
Matt Dietrich, spokesman for the Illinois State Board of Elections, explained the legal framework for Prevost’s vote. He noted that Illinois no longer uses the term absentee ballot, as any registered voter can choose to vote by mail. Dietrich cited UOCAVA, or the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, which applies to U.S. citizens living overseas. He stated that since 2010, voters do not need an excuse to request a mail ballot.
Pope Leo has maintained a public presence despite recent health issues. He returned to the Vatican on October 18, four days after surgery to remove part of his right lung. Doctors confirmed he has lung adenocarcinoma, a common type of lung cancer. He has resumed public duties, including a general audience in St. Peter’s Square, and met with about 30 Chicago clergy and lay leaders on Wednesday.
The pope’s political profile has drawn attention during his tenure. He has clashed publicly with President Donald Trump over issues such as the war in Iran, immigration enforcement, and Venezuela. Leo has criticized mass deportations and family separation while expressing concerns about artificial intelligence and military strikes. Trump faced backlash in April for calling the pope terrible for foreign policy and posting an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus.
Prevost, 71, was born in Chicago and grew up in Dolton. He has received visits from numerous Chicago figures since becoming pope. These visitors have included Gov. Pritzker, Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis-Gates, and former Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski. Leo addressed Trump directly on a flight to Algeria, stating he was not afraid to speak loudly about the Gospel.
