My vote counts a helluva lot. I tend to read the proposals of the various candidates, their position on issues, their 'raison d'etre'.
Then I vote. That makes me the boss for all of ten seconds when I make my X. And, I love it. I cannot understand why anyone would NOT vote. (I include marring the ballot as a vote.)

I have only ever voted for three 'parties' that got in, but I have voted in almost every election I could. Only party I never voted for was communist. Figured I'd shoot myself if they fluked and won.