LISBON - Shirley Vardanega serves drinks and advice at the Cattleman's Club Lounge, where the only topics she avoids talking about with customers are politics and religion. Even during election season.

"I turn off just about every commercial for politics," Vardanega said. "They're annoying. I don't like that."

Even so, she believes the war in Iraq could bring people from this southeastern North Dakota town of 2,300 people to the polls. She said many of her customers, including veterans, believe it's time for the American troops to come home.

"I'm hoping it will go more to the Democratic side," Vardanega said. "The Democrats are more for the people. I don't think Bush really cares about anybody dying over there."

Polls have shown a growing dissatisfaction around the country with the war in Iraq. The president defended his policies on the campaign trail over the past week, saying his plan is to win the war on terror.

Lisbon, about 70 miles from Fargo, is the county seat of Ransom County, which has supported George Bush in the last two presidential elections. In 2004, Bush received 1,351 votes and John Kerry received 1,197 votes.

Across the street from the Cattlemen's Club, while waiting for a bowl of tomato soup at the Lisbon Cafe, 84-year-old Roger Even of Stirum said he plans to review the candidates and ballot measures before voting. He said he "always has been and always will be" a Democrat.

"I go for the man, not the party so much," Even said. "Around here, we're getting a lot of commissioners who'd better start waking up so they don't raise the taxes again. People are going broke."

County auditor Connie Gilbert said two local contests are expected to spark interest. One is the sheriff's race between Darren Benneweis, a deputy sheriff, and Jim Klinicke, a Lisbon police officer. Sheriff Conrad Steinhaus, who has held the position for 15 years, dropped out on Aug. 1.

The state's attorney race between incumbent Jeffrey Leadbetter and challenger Fallon Kelly, a Lisbon lawyer, could be a close call, Gilbert said. "It's kind of hard to say, but that's the feeling I have anyway," she said.

County residents also are being asked to decide whether to keep a tax to support a medical center that has changed ownership since the levy was approved, and whether to finance a proposed public health facility.

Bill Hanson, a retired Lisbon resident who calls himself a conservative, said the election would be a bust without the local issues.

"That's about all we have to argue about," he said. "The rest of the election is a non-issue. The only reason I'm going to vote is because I feel obligated."

It's the first election for Katie Klubben, 18, who graduated from Lisbon High School last spring. Describing herself as "very liberal," she said there aren't many candidates that she likes on either side.

"I think the war is a big issue," she said during lunch at the Subway Restaurant. "I don't think a lot of people will vote for the Republican Party because of that."

Klubben said she likely will vote on the "bigger races" and pass on the statewide ballot measures. The initiatives are about private property rights, child custody and investment rules for state trust funds.

"I just haven't followed them," Klubben said.

Gilbert said she expects an above-average turnout for a non-presidential election, judging by 270 absentee ballots. "I was kind of thinking that indicates pretty good interest," she said. There are fewer than 6,000 residents in the county.

At the Lisbon Cafe, Robert Hanson, 62, of Leonard, said he's a Democrat who plans to vote because "it's all Republicans and we need to mix it up a bit." Still, nothing about the election really stands out, he said.

"There's not much that interests me, except the day after," Hanson said. "That's when we get a break from all those damn politicians."