León XIV Casts First US Presidential Ballot as Pope
Vatican officials confirm the Chicago-born pontiff mailed his vote in Will County, Illinois, following a pattern of partisan ballot requests dating back to 2000.
By Sienna Foster ·
Pope León XIV has cast the first United States presidential ballot in papal history. The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the pontiff, born in Chicago, mailed his vote in the city before the November midterm elections. The Holy See cited the pope’s deep conviction in civic participation as the reason for his action.
The Vatican press office stated that León, formerly known as Robert Prevost, has exercised his right to vote as a US citizen whenever he has been eligible. The statement noted that he also voted while residing in Peru during previous terms. Officials added that the Holy Father believes citizens have both a right and a duty to take part in democratic processes.
The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the vote, citing the chief of staff for Will County Clerk. The report said the pope, registered at an address in New Lenox, requested a mail-in ballot on October 3. It remains unclear how he returned the completed ballot. His brother, John Prevost, was in Rome this week accompanying parishioners from St. Jude’s, an Augustinian parish in New Lenox where León gave a talk in 2024 while still a cardinal.
Illinois State Board of Elections records show Prevost voted in five primary elections since 2000. He requested Democratic ballots in 2008 and 2010 while living in Cook County. After moving to the more conservative Will County, he requested Republican ballots in 2012, 2014, and 2016. Voters in Illinois must declare a party preference to receive a primary ballot, though no such declaration is required for general elections.
The records indicate Prevost voted in every general election since 2000, with the exceptions of 2020 and 2022. The data does not specify which candidates he supported. His voting history spans both major parties across different decades and jurisdictions.
The pope’s registration in New Lenox places him in Will County, a suburban area that tends to lean conservative. His brother’s presence in Rome this week with the St. Jude’s parish group coincided with the release of the voting news. The Vatican confirmed the act of voting without detailing the specific candidates on the ballot.
Source: WWSI
