Campaign signs line the entrance of The Heritage Building voting location on Tuesday in Smith County. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

On Tuesday, Smith County residents came out to vote across 38 polling places in federal, state and local races in the general election.

No matter which party or candidates they were supporting, Tyler voters expressed similar sentiments that the process of voting is an important right everyone should take full advantage of.

UT Tyler business management junior Clayton Quinn came out to volunteer on Election Day at The Hub in downtown Tyler because he believed there was “an important election that’s on the line.”

During the first two days of early voting in Smith County, Quinn said he saw long lines. A total of 52% of registered voters in Smith County cast ballots early, according to the elections office. Quinn said he believes that high turnout was driven by inflation and policies that have impacted regular people, drawing more people out to the polls.

“You’re seeing a lot more involvement in this election from voters that usually don’t go and vote,” Quinn said. “… it might not be out of having this burning desire to vote, but really out of necessity because the time is now we have to do something.”

Quinn believes the election will come down to key issues such as the economy and the border. He came out in support for former President Donald Trump and United States Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

Although national and state races matter, Quinn also believes local elections are important. He wants Smith County residents to consider becoming more engaged in local races because they impact people more directly.

“There’s a lot of key and important community services that regardless of who’s in the White House, they still have to function, and we have to have the right people making sure that that is functioning,” Quinn said.

He also expressed the importance of folks getting out to vote and exercising their right.

“It’s important to use that right that people fought and died for,” Quinn said.

Tyler Junior College student Holly Walton brought her friend, Katherine Alvarez, with her to vote at the Heritage Building on Election Day. Walton, who was voting in support of Democrats, said she wanted to encourage others to make their voices heard through the electoral process.

“It’s really important for us as a younger generations to take the fate of our country into our hands,” Walton said. “I think it’s really important for everyone to vote. I hear a lot that your vote doesn’t really matter, but that isn’t the case. Every single American should be able to exercise their right to vote. There isn’t such thing as an insignificant vote.”

Smith County voters set out to make decisions on who they wanted to see in local, state and federal races — all the way from United States president to Smith County commissioner. Read about unofficial local results at tylerpaper.com/elections.