I’m leaning voting third party which is way better than not voting at all. At least it will increase numbers and show people are fed up with the two party system.
Third parties need to prove viability at a smaller scale before the presidency is realistic. As misguided as the Free State Project was, at least they tried doing it in the right order.
Third parties make little sense as long as you have a first passed the post system. Change to proportional representation and you’ll get more choice automatically.
If a third party gets 5% of the national vote, they are entitled to federal funding the next election. Granted, it’s not a huge amount, but it gives them a seat at the table and would be a big first step at ending the two party system. A third party vote is not as useless as you make it out to be. The goal isn’t winning, it’s just getting 5%.
Now, personally I don’t think that will ever happen. Closest we got was in 2016 with the libertarian party getting 3.2%. I don’t think people are as willing to vote 3rd party these days.
The fact you’ve heard of the Free State Project is kind of impressive actually. I don’t pay that much attention to it, but if I ever got to the point where I thought it would work, I’d be moving there.
Why not advocate for another election system that will make third parties viable? Basically then, your vote should be towards preserving and improving our democracy.