It’s Election Day, and Noah Schexnayder is voting for the very first time.
“I kind of hoped some fireworks would go off, maybe a bald eagle would swoop down, but I got a sticker, so I’m happy,” Schexnayder said.
Schexnayder, a 19-year-old LSU student from St. Gabriel, made the long trek from Baton Rouge to Iberville Parish Tuesday morning.
The trip might have been a little out of the way, but he considers it one worth making.
“It makes me feel proud that we live in a country where we can do this sort of thing,” Schexnayder said. “I’m grateful that we have a process where we can voice our opinion.”
Schexnayder says even though he doesn’t like either of the top two presidential candidates, he’s been looking forward to voting for a long time.
“I think it’s important to exercise your right to vote for the men and women who serve this country,” Schexnayder said. “I feel that it’s important.”
Voters were constantly coming in and out of the St. Gabriel Community Center, ready to cast their ballots.
Volunteers said voting lines were out the door when polls first opened at 6 a.m. They said they expected over 2,000 voters to show up to the St. Gabriel polling center alone.
With his ballot cast, Schexnayder encourages other Americans to do their part.
“Regardless of who you’re voting for, be proud that you voted and have pride in your country regardless of who wins,” Schexnayder said. “We’re all in this together and we just have to take pride in our country.”