Voting for a compromise is voting for one's best interest for a lot of people. If the options are vote for harm, vote for harm reduction, or vote for someone who will not win, at least the people I know in marginalized communities vote for harm reduction. Because for a lot of them, the consequence of a conservative government is immediate real threats to their safety.
Voting third party demonstrably does not change the system, at least in the US. Correct me if I'm wrong but I can't think of any voter reform legislation that's been actually advanced by third parties. Just one example, ranked Choice Voting in Maine wasn't caused by third party candidates in office, it was a ballot initiative. And not to simp for corporate scumbags, but least the Democrats support the Voting Rights Act and oppose closing voting stations in black neighborhoods.
Voting for a compromise is voting for one's best interest for a lot of people. If the options are vote for harm, vote for harm reduction, or vote for someone who will not win, at least the people I know in marginalized communities vote for harm reduction. Because for a lot of them, the consequence of a conservative government is immediate real threats to their safety.