Local politics is less partisan. My dad's a diehard republican, (Fuck you, dad,) but he'd vote for democrats in his town because he knew them and thought they were good people. I watch politics like other people watch sports, but the more local it gets, the less I care. Its the national conversation which gets me all fired up. But your right about local politics affecting you more, unless the president manages to start world war three.
RE: I voted today - and I had very little idea who I was voting for...