If you think strategic voting is too complicated, think again. You don’t have to be a political savvy voter to become more tactical in your approach to choosing candidates during elections. A strategic vote is better than voting at random or as a show of support to parties or candidates that may not even have the slightest chance of winning. It requires an objective viewpoint and compromises for a better outcome or the greater good.

Focus on the outcome

You are a strategic voter if you focus on the outcomes. Aim for objectivity above all else when assessing the chances of your choice winning the candidacy. If the candidate you are supporting is trailing at the get go, it may be time to start reviewing your options. Take a long and hard look to the available choices you have. Imagine them winning the election. What would be the least acceptable result for you? Choosing another candidate that is the most viable option given the circumstances is a form of strategic voting.

Use whatever influence you have

Make peer pressure work for you. Use your influence to encourage family, friends, and others in your social circle to vote for the candidates you are rooting for. It is no longer just about you casting your vote. It is also about the many other votes you and your social network can deliver.

Actively endorse your choice

It’s a mistake to believe that your voice and your vote wouldn’t count. Everyone has a circle of friends and peers not to mention family members that can be reached. Actively endorsing your choice to the people around you is another way to vote strategically. It is about making your choice known and giving valid reasons why others should likewise give their support. Create opportunities for discussion. Promote your choices or the issues you support in the social media platforms you use. Steer conversations towards meaningful exchange of ideas.

Voting is not as simple as picking a party or a candidate and stick with that to the end. Sometimes you have to be flexible and tactical if you want your vote to count. Taking control of how you make use of your vote is one of the best ways to make it count.