More than 50 people lined up to cast their ballots by 5:30 a.m. Tuesday at Living Hope Baptist Church. 

When the polls opened at 6 a.m., Warren County voters flooded in to select a presidential candidate, weigh in on state bills and choose local representatives. 

After voting, several expressed their experiences and opinions to Herald reporters.  This is what they had to say.

Edward McDowell, 59, Independent

Edward McDowell said he votes every Election Day since he feels it’s his civic duty as an African American man.

“People died in our ethnic group trying to get the right to vote so the least I can do is go vote,” McDowell said.

Though he voted in this election, McDowell wishes the candidates on the ballot were more honest with the general public. He said government officials often just try to benefit themselves instead of the public.

“I’ve been voting for a little while, and what I can see from both political parties is that one party likes to be foxes while the other party is wolves,” McDowell said.“The general public are sheep, and one party tries to be a friend,” McDowell said. 

Tiffany Triplett, 51, Republican

Tiffany Triplett said she decided to vote this year because of her views on border control and federal taxes.

She said she wasn’t too confident with this year’s presidential candidates but decided to vote for the best option available to her. 

“I often wish they were different but it’s how our system works and we don’t have a choice about that,” Triplett said.

Although she’s a registered Republican, Triplett said she still agrees with the policies other parties offer at times.

“I wish independents had a little more opportunity than the Democrat and Republican parties because sometimes they have better policies with our environment and other things,” Triplett said.

Sarah Butler, 43, Democrat

Sarah Butler said she is voting this year primarily because of Constitutional Amendment 2, which asks whether or not the Kentucky General Assembly should be able to provide financial support for the education of students outside of public schools.

“I’m a teacher at Bowling Green Independent and we need the money,” Butler said. “It shouldn’t be going to private schools,” Butler said.

Kelley Price, 34, Republican

Kelley Price walked out of the gymnasium with her daughter, Olivia, by her side, their “I voted” stickers on display. 

“Now that I’m a mom, I think it’s even more important to bring [my daughter] and expose her to this,” Price said. “She may not understand it right now but eventually, she will.” 

Price touched on multiple concerns she had with the country’s future.

“The first one that pops into my head is securing the border for [my daughter’s] safety as she continues to grow,” Price said, “I think it’s also very important that we think about men and women as men and women and not anything else. Female and male, that’s the end. Nothing else should be said. I think that is a big issue.”

Gary Schallert, 59, Democrat

Gary Schallert said it was crucial to vote to protect the Constitution and democracy. To him, the events of Jan. 6 are a threat to the country.

“I think that’s unfashionable behavior on anybody’s part to try and overturn the government and the will of the people in a violent manner like that,” Schallert said.

Schallert also emphasized the next president should push to preserve the environment worldwide.

“The environment is very important to me because I have kids,” Schallert said.“I think we need to protect our planet.”

Andrew Wilson, 57, Republican

Andrew Wilson said he votes every year, but is disappointed in seeing how divided political parties have become to him.

“Social media directs you in one direction,” Wilson said.“When you click on one certain thing it takes you that way and you don’t see the other side of the option.”

Wilson hopes people learn to trust and support the next president regardless of who wins the election.

“Whoever’s elected today is going to be my president. You have to pray for them and support them,” Wilson said.

Angela Bundy, 71, Democrat

Angela Bundy said she’s voted since age 18. The biggest issue she sees nationwide is the political divide between parties, she said.

“I feel that [tension has] increased because of the candidate that we have for the Republican party,” Bundy said, “We can’t do the things that people are saying about other people no matter race, religion, sexual orientation, or anything, and that’s what’s happening today.”

Bundy said she hopes the political parties can come together in the future.

News Reporter Larkin Ivory can be reached at [email protected].

Staff Photographer Adin Parks can be reached at [email protected].