Where I'm from, we have I don't even know how many parties running against each other. I have over the years rotated through 5 of them back and forth, depending on which policies aligned the most with my personal views and ideas at the time.

The problem here in the US, is that people seem to vote for party rather than candidate. Like my father-in-law who "didn't vote for Trump, he voted for the Republic", which I know is just a very transparent excuse for his racist hillbilly reckneck ass to elect someone he can relate to. But that's another story.

I just don't understand! How can people be like "Well, I hate everything they're running on, but I always voted this party, sooo..." Why is it so hard for people to switch parties if their party no longer represents them?

You're not "betraying" your fucking party; they don't even know you exist, and if they did they wouldn't give a shit. You don't owe your party anything! They are supposed to earn your vote and work for you.

Also, if you stop screaming your political affiliation from the roof tops, nobody will even know you changed your stance or who you voted for, if that's what you're afraid of. It's so fucking stupid!

But, in my country we also just go by popular vote and not some strange and, to me, confusing concept like the electoral college (someone feel free to ELI5 it to me). So, I understand, with the Republicans having a very dedicated and rabid voter base, it's pretty much necessary to vote "the only other valid option" to avoid a loss.

I don't know. I've lived here for 14 years now and there is still so much about this country that just makes no fucking sense.