Ayn Rand

Sure, in a specific race. However, your ballot is more than just one race. Your local representatives, state representatives, local initiatives, and state initiatives affect you personally and immediately. Do some research, and get yourself to the polls!

Did you miss the "Do some research" part that preceded the call to vote?

I am what you may consider a "Leftist", and I want you to actively participate in your government. The "active" part of that is that you know what you're voting for. DO NOT CHECK OUT. Get informed, and vote accordingly!

It appears I misunderstood your initial meme to mean that choosing not to vote at all (read: not bother showing up to the polls because literally everything is awful) is acceptable. Sorry.

That being said, though, the decision to abstain from voting in a particular race should not be made lightly. It may feel like you are making a statement, but the reality is that no one counts the "abstain" votes unless there is actually an Abstain box to tick. Literally no one receives your statement. Regardless of your intent, the message you're sending is not "none of the above"; it's "whatever, do what you want".

A more effective strategy would be to write in a vote - at least that would get counted as a conscious voice of dissent from the options provided. Or vote third party.

That's fair.

That's a valid perspective, and I see where you're coming from. In response, the historical response to low voter turnout is not to change policy, but to just get more interesting/attractive people to enact the same policies. If you're truly disgusted with both parties (and I don't blame you), voting for a third party is the most concrete way to begin to upend the system as it stands.