I’ve made – these – same points, but they bear repeating in another voice. I’ve excerpted a couple of bits, but you should RTWT.
How Not To Waste Your Vote: A Mathematical Analysis
[T]here are many benefits of voting third party, even for president. It makes a political statement to the majority parties. It helps local politicians of that party in elections. It can help change platforms to include third-party elements. And it provides recognition for the party among voters as a viable alternative…
Your vote is, therefore, an expression of yourself and your beliefs. Your vote has power as a statement. People voting out of fear of the worst candidate is a self-perpetuating cycle. If no one ever has the courage to vote outside of the two main parties, it will never be broken. However, if enough people vote and it shows in the total election count, it will give cause for us to reconsider and embolden even more to vote outside of the two parties…
The value of your vote is what you give it. Should you spend it on a candidate you don’t believe in? Should it be an exercise in fear? It’s up to you. It is my hope that these mathematical calculations will bring you freedom from the idea that only majority party votes matter. A vote is a statement, a vote is personal, a vote is an expression of your citizenship in this country. If enough people vote their conscience and vote for what they believe in, things can change.
The purpose of voting is to express your will. If your will is to validate the lesser of two evils, you’re purposely supporting the statist quo. That’s a wasted vote.
Further reading:
You Are Not Morally Obligated to Vote for the Lesser of Two Evils
Rethinking ‘wasted votes’ and third-party candidates
Voting Third Party Isn’t Just a Serious Choice, It’s the Serious Choice