I typed this all up in the other topic and it got locked. I don't want it to go to waste so why not…
Yes, our political system is terrible. It's rigged and gerrymandered. Voters are disenfranchised and suppressed. The two parties gatekeep access to debates and public campaign funds. The Senate and Electoral College ensure that a minority of the people can subjugate the majority of the people. First past the post prevents people from voting for who they truly believe in, keeps power for the two parties, and ensures the spoiler effect.
But one of these parties has been undermining our constitutional rights far more than the other. One of these parties is happy for people to not vote and actively working to prevent laws to make voting more accessible and meaningful and implementing their own laws and policies to prevent voting. The amount of work the Republican party is explicitly doing to prevent people from voting is exactly why people should vote. It's a clear demonstration that voting does matter. They are afraid of people voting, because they know when the people turn out to vote, they lose. Their propaganda is in full swing to promote voter apathy, feelings of helplessness, both sides are the same nonsense, “what did the Romans ever do for us” bullshit, etc.
Only one party has been passing alternative voting systems, supporting laws to protect and expand voter rights, and protecting many of our constitutional rights.
Republicans are actively blocking avenues to make voting matter and Democrats are actively working to protect voting and block Republican attacks on voting. That alone is more than enough reason for me to vote for the Democrats for the time being.
Beyond that, many states this year have referendums and proposals to enshrine abortion rights in state constitutions, protect and expand voter rights, and much more. Many in this country have a direct voice in the policies of their state this and indeed every year. Many states have local races that really matter. There are massive nationally organized campaigns right now to fill school boards with people fearmongering about CRT boogeymen and LGBT rights. Down-ballot, there are so many issues and races that we can make a difference in that will directly affect our lives and the lives of our children.
Please, vote. Vote like a beast.