From a purely rational perspective, voting makes little sense. Your vote has, mathematically, about the same chance as lightening striking in the same spot twice, as swinging an election one way or another. The race to win the Virginia governor's seat was decided by 533,000 votes or so (if they were even all real votes).

It makes even less sense, rationally, when voting in presidential elections where (particularly in America) state's electoral college votes go to one candidate to another, and you're a "red" guy in a "blue" state. There are a lot of other things, from a sort of Utilitarian perspective, to maximize one's life's experience, that are better than voting. Spending 30 minutes working out, or with your kids, or playing video games, has from an Epicurean point of view more pleasure than researching the candidates and taking the time to stand in line and cast a ballot.

However, do you think that Mr. Global rigs all elections? Is the CIA algorithm and/or the mail in ballot scam run by NGOs funded by Soros and his ilk affecting the race for the local mayoral election in your town, or the local school board? Either of these races have way more say on what your property taxes are and a direct effect on your life, than distant major races like for the president or senator.

Unless you, and many others simultaneously, are on a collective tax strike, you're not resisting the system by not voting. They don't care if you vote or not. In fact, they would prefer if you didn't as it makes it easier for them to cheat. Less ballots to dump at 3am.

So is voting worth it? Not really, but think of it like being in a crowd at a stadium. You're just one of a large group of cheering fans. Yet, fans do sometimes make a difference in a game, and the collective participation in the event does have meaning.

I realize this is from an American perspective, and I welcome the perspective of foreigners on this topic.