That assumes there is a candidate to vote for who cares.

I don't know for the US but in other countries you can vote but make it invalid, so it counts for the total votes but not for a candidate.

The impact on the outcome is identical to not voting in the US. The total number of votes doesn't matter, just how many votes other candidates got.

Even voting for someone who isn't from the two major parties is effectively equivalent to not voting in the current election. At it best may communicate a preference for certain policies that the major parties take into account in the next election cycle.

One can write in a candidate in the US so just pick your favorite fictional character.

Hah, indeed. I'm sure there are... attention/traction is difficult though.

I'm more and more disenfranchised. Opportunists steal the show.

I still pay attention/go to the booth, yet I'm sour because the larger group confuses public servants for celebrity.