Canada

In a riding where the other candidates don't stand a chance, I vote for the candidate who doesn't stand a chance but whose party's values I like best. Like the NDP or the greens.

Doesn't do much, but in a way, it's freeing and I can pretend I'm free to vote for anyone.

If someone has a chance to beat the worst candidate, though, I'll vote for the most likely one. And that's the most depressing situation of all.

I really hate this voting system. But it'd take a miracle for it to change.

The Conservative candidate has a 99% chance of winning in my riding. Thankfully voting only took 10 minutes out of my day so, while it feels useless, at least it's quick and painless!

The best thing you can do is advocate for a change to a different system. Instant Runoff Voting would be the bare minimum. Proportional systems like MMP are even better.

Welcome to .. everyone's world who's bothered to learn how the system works. Many don't get this far. It's a bit hard to accept at first but it's what we have to work with. That's why it's important to understand all the different opportunities to affect change. For example keeping track of different parties' leadership elections and voting in those. Or pestering your MP for what you want to see happen, like some folks here pester them for electoral reform. The same goes with provincial parties and elections. And municipal elections. And getting involved in any of those campaigns. And so on.

It's tough, you can vote strategically to make sure the party you want the least doesn't get in, or you can vote for the party that aligns with your ideals. I can't say there is a right or wrong way, but if you don't vote, that's how people like the Orange Cheeto down south gets in.