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ATTLEBORO - Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama haven't included Attleboro High School on their campaign swings, but you wouldn't know it by crowds in the high school's lobby Thursday.

Pictures of the contenders, slogans and talking points were on display as dozens of students presented the case for each candidate on each of five top presidential campaign issues, ranging from the economy to immigration, as part of a school-wide Election Exhibition.

Pairs of students from the school's government classes stood by science fair-like displays they created, based on the research of each candidate's position.

Government teacher Nicole Lane said the projects, which were assigned to students randomly, are among several election-related projects being undertaken by AHS students.

Students will vote in a mock presidential election next week and two dozen students will be staking out city polling places to conduct exit polling during the Nov. 4 election. The school also held a voter registration drive for students 18 and older.

"There's a lot of interest in the election," Lane said, as large numbers of students trooped through the lobby to inspect the displays and ask questions about the candidates. "Kids are very interested in what's going on."

Since students didn't get to select candidates based on their personal preference, students presenting the positions of McCain or Obama didn't necessarily agree with the candidate whose stance they researched.

But many students were passionate about their favorites in the presidential race.

"I've been for McCain right from the beginning," said Toni Vegiard, 17, who created a research project with partner Sean Winbourne outlining the Arizona Republican's proposals on health care. "He has a lot of experience and he really knows what he's doing."

Winbourne said he wasn't sure about McCain at first, but gained respect for the senator's position on health care as a result of his research.

"John McCain wants to lower the cost of health care, make it more affordable and let you take it with you, whether you work at home or in an office," Winbourne said. "To me, that's a good idea."

Adam Lavoie, 17, who teamed with classmate Kelci Keene in a study of Obama's health care plan, begged to disagree.

Lavoie said Obama would give tax breaks to businesses that offer health care and lower costs overall by $2,500 per family.

"And Obama would make sure that people were provided access to health care regardless of pre-existing medical conditions," he said. Keene said Obama has also pledged to work toward a universal health care system within four years.

Both Lavoie and Keene said they favor Obama, citing his policy on withdrawing troops from Iraq.

Students also conducted in-depth studies of several issues and the candidates' positions on them, including the economy, foreign policy, immigration and the environment.