Ashlee Spann, freshman biology major from Wichita Falls, walked out of the Hillcrest Church of Christ polling place Tuesday morning after voting for the first time.

19-year-old Spann said she was excited and a little nervous when she walked into the polling place in the Multi-Purpose Room of the church. She said she didn’t know what to expect when she walked into the fluorescent-lighted gym, and was surprised that voting involved an electronic screen instead of just paper ballots.

Growing up, Spann said voting was emphasized as important, whether it was from family or from her teachers at school. Each student at her high school, Hirschi High School, got the opportunity to vote in a school-wide election, complete with voter registration card and a ballot to cast her vote.

“I really think that it is your civic duty to vote,” Spann said. “It is important to be involved; it’s important for our nation.”

Spann said she wasn’t sure if many of her fellow classmates would take the time to come out and vote, but she decided it was important and made time in her day to vote in the election.

After familiarizing herself with the issues and candidates, Spann said she was surprised that there were a number of names she didn’t even recognize on the ballots.

Spann said she took advantage of her opportunity to vote because she didn’t want to wait until the next election to vote on something this important.

“It was actually fun to come vote,” Spann said. “Voting is important and, I mean, why not vote?”