Fastrack · Report: Pope Leo Requested Absentee Ballot for Illinois Midterms

Pope Leo XIV, a registered Illinois voter, requested a mail ballot on Oct. 3 for the Nov. 3 midterms. The Will County Clerk's Office confirmed the request.

2012, 2014, 2018 and 2024: general elections in which Leo cast ballots.
2008 and 2010 Democratic primaries and 2012-2016 Republican primaries also drew his vote.
1.16 million Illinois residents have already voted early.
Illinois voters do not register by party and may pick any primary.

Why it matters: Leo became the first American pope in May 2025. A returned ballot would make him the first pope to vote in a U.S. election.

Trump called Leo weak on crime in April after Leo urged peace in Iran.
His ballot includes Pritzker's reelection bid and the race to replace Sen. Dick Durbin.

The story so far

2 steps · since Oct 29

Oct 29Report: Pope Leo Requested Absentee Ballot for Illinois MidtermsYou are here
Oct 30Pope Leo Becomes First Pope to Vote in US Midterms36 sourcesLatest

How 11 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 11 sources

11 sources · 13 articles · 46% Right coverage

Where they split: Coverage agrees on the facts but differs on emphasis: NBC News centers Leo's clashes with Trump and Vance, while Newsweek centers the historic first and his health.

Center3 sources

Forbes18hPope Leo XIV Has Requested Mail-In Ballot For U.S. Midterms Newsweek1dPope Leo May Be Among the Nearly 20 Million Americans Voting Early WPXI Pittsburgh11hElection 2026: Pope Leo XIV becomes first pope to vote in US election

Left coverage, 3 sources: The left reads the ballot request through Leo's public disputes with Trump and Vance over Iran and immigration, and notes his ballot is dominated by Democratic races.

NBC News1dPope Leo requested an absentee ballot in Illinois to vote in the midterms The Independent13hPope Leo reportedly requests an absentee ballot for US midterms Mediaite15hPope Leo Could Make History After Requesting Mail-In Ballot for Midterms

Right coverage, 5 sources: The right treats it as a historic first within a broader early-voting surge, stressing Leo's bipartisan primary record and his recovery from surgery.

Just the News1dPope Leo to vote by mail in Illinois midterm election from the Vatican Breitbart News1dReport: Pope Leo Requested a Mail-In Ballot for the IL Midterms New York Post10hWhy Pope Leo was legally allowed to vote in US election — despite being leader of Vatican City The Western Journal6hVatican Confirms Pope Leo XIV Voted by Mail, Sent Midterm Ballot to Chicago Washington Examiner13hPope Leo XIV requested a ballot to vote by mail in 2026 elections

What’s next: The clerk's office has not received a completed ballot. Whether Leo has mailed one is unknown.

Vatican doctors said Leo needs no further treatment after this month's lung cancer surgery.
Will Leo return his ballot before Illinois' deadline?
Will the Vatican comment on a sitting pope voting in a secular election?