I'm disillusioned to the efficacy of voting to actually effect change, but I guess I shouldn't let my views on this bring down the hopes of others. It could be that voting truly does influence the course a society takes, at least in some small way, but I have difficulty seeing it.
What I do know is that people have begun to take political discussion very personally. It is putting strain on otherwise healthy relationships. If those political discussions do change votes and if votes do change the way the world works in some small way, I personally don't believe it's worth the cost in personal stress.
I want to advise people to work with what they have. Be grateful for the good things you have, and focus on the changes that you can make in your own life.
These views are all from personal experience and feelings though. I do not claim to have any factual evidence for any of this. Just tellin' it like I see it.