The "slap in the face" aspect of winning the popular vote is an excellent point. As long as a candidate wins only the electoral college, but loses the popular vote, there is an appearance that the people don't support the president (or didn't choose the president). Hopefully with Kennedy, Gabbard and Musk we will see a tidal wave of support and perhaps the country can rally, instead of bicker, after the election?

There really are two messages from not voting:

1) Apathy

2) Protest (refusal to support / participate in the system)