You're right...one does have to believe that the system is considerably less venal than it is in order to believe that voting is actually worth the trouble...

The individuals aggressed against are already being aggressed against, and whether one votes or not they will continue to be so. This does not militate against the self-defense argument directly, but it does undermine the tactical premise that makes it a worthwhile method. But...I again refer you to what Smith wrote back in 2006...Ineffectual, perhaps, but if you can do nothing else, goddamn it, DO IT!