Voting is dissatisfying. We spend however many days of the year being mad at the other side, and what does it come to? One vote. It’s not proportionate.

My thesis can be summarized in this graph.

Plot showing political views vs political sway. The political sway that we want increases as our political views get stronger. But the power of the vote is a binary choice. So there’s a gap between what we want and the power of a vote.

The dissatisfaction is strongest for people who are most passionate, or who are on the far side of the spectrum. So it is you have leftists complaining that though Democrats “won” the 2026 election, now we have to deal with all the shit Democrats. There is a gap between what they desire (true leftist candidates) and what they can achieve (Democrats).

This dissatisfaction makes political allies of people who would otherwise be at each other’s throats. Consider the relationship between a leftist and far leftist. They may disagree with each other, but it’s kind of a moot point if they vote the same way. Disagreement tends to surface only when someone on “our side” threatens not to vote at all.

I would argue that the dissatisfaction of voting is a necessary consequence a fair system, and something we need to learn to deal with. Yes, voting is very powerful, but in a fair system, that power is diluted among many people–and should be! In principle, if more people voted left, that would put leftier candidates on the playing field, leaving moderate Democrats behind. This does not happen. This is partially because the system is unfair (see: electoral collage, gerrymandering, gutting the voting rights act), but also because just not enough people vote left.

How do we deal with the dissatisfaction of voting? Some people seek other avenues of political action. Participating in demonstrations, engaging in political speech, donating to advocacy organizations, calling your representatives, and so on.

But before we even get to that, I believe in exhausting the power of the vote. Because we don’t just have one vote, not really. Vote consistently, in every single election, primary and general. And vote all the way down-ballot, on everything.  Then, like I do, you can tell the rest of us about it.

Obviously my argument comes to late for the recent election, but you’re already doing this, right?  There will be more elections.