The contest is a Russian version of the 2002 BBC show "Great Britons," which was won by Winston Churchill.
A U.S. version in 2005 declared Ronald Reagan, the former president who had died the year before, to be the "Greatest American."
As of Tuesday, Nicholas II was ahead with more than 267,000 of the 2.4 million votes cast in the Internet poll.
Stalin, who like Churchill led his nation to victory in World War II, was close behind with about 263,000 votes. Lenin trailed with 187,000.
The Internet poll allows for multiple voting and thus can be easily swayed.
The top 12 vote-getters are to be discussed in televised debates in September, with one figure then chosen the "Name of Russia."
The top 12 now includes other former leaders: Peter the Great (No. 5), Catherine the Great (No. 7), Boris Yeltsin (No. 11) and Ivan the Terrible (No. 12).
