Hm,
then you did not look properly. I had once a priest in my realms who plotted against Florian, as he was of the opinon that only a cleric can rule a country properly. After he was not able to negotiate with the pope to condem the duke he tried open rebellion when Florian was in Rome.

For the voting, I agree with Erasmus. Any religious role can be filled with an NPC, except when the pope is also ruler of the vatican.

For the formal reasons: This thread can collect the votes, afterwards you can bring it as a petition to the knights council and to Hoern.

Kind regards
Florian