Voting for the slightly less shit option makes it easier for the things we do in parallel to have a positive impact: direct action doesn't get slowed down much by voting once a year or so.
I don't think it does much, but any tiny contribution to the fight against climate change is a good for the world, as is any slowing of the erosion of civil rights domestically, gutting of what remains of medicare/medicaid, etc.
I also know a GOP administration will be worse in terms of fighting against leftist movements in the streets, if only slightly. They're definitely worse re: labor movements overall, again: even if only marginally.
So I'm not going to claim it's a panacea, or even someone that will have notable effects, but I do think it matters at the margins, so the effort required is usually worth it, IMHO
Average US presidential debate ( lemmy.world )