The bad news about this election is obvious: at the top of the ballot, running to be the next President of the United States, you’ll find a set of candidates who, for many, don’t inspire much confidence.

We’ve heard people say they don’t really like either of the two major party candidates and plan to “hold their nose” when casting their ballots.

A recent University of Wyoming poll found nearly 75 percent of voters are either “very” or “somewhat” dissatisfied with their choices; almost 60 percent see themselves as voting against a candidate rather than for a candidate.

As examples, see all the Republicans who’ve had to explain that, while they find Donald Trump’s recently unearthed remarks about women appalling, they’re sticking with him because they believe Hillary Clinton is worse. Or consider the Democrats who dismiss criticism of Clinton by explaining why Trump is horrible.

We would suggest these types of “settlers” reconsider their votes.

National polling data suggests the Republicans and Democrats have nominated two of the most disliked candidates in decades. If now’s not the time to send a message to the major parties that they should have provided better options, then when?

One of the most cited arguments in the settlers’ camp is that a vote cast for anyone other than the Republican nominee is really a vote for the Democrat, or vice versa. However, at least in Wyoming, that’s unlikely to be the case.

As not-former president Al Gore would remind you, the presidential election is not based on the popular vote, but on the Electoral College. Your votes help determine who receives Wyoming’s three electoral votes, but they have no bearing on the race outside of the state.

No matter what we write in this space — and probably no matter what you say or do before or on Election Day — Trump will win Wyoming by a large margin. In short, you needn’t worry about handing the election to your most disliked candidate by not supporting your least disliked candidate.

For that reason, we would exhort you to vote for whomever you believe would make the best president — even if that means writing someone in.

As for those of you planning to announce your dissatisfaction with the presidential nominees and politics by simply not voting at all, please think again.

That strategy is a lot like saying you’ll stand up to a pair of bullies by watching them with disapproval from a safe distance. The real message you’re sending is that the parties and candidates should feel free to do whatever they want, because you’re not going to get involved.

But more importantly, you’ll be throwing away your right to help pick local leaders: lawmakers, county commissioners, hospital and college board trustees, to name just a few. Plus, do you really not have an opinion about a proposed sales tax hike that would collect $13.68 million to improve infrastructure around Park County?

It’s usually a little difficult to figure out exactly how each president’s actions have affected your life, but it’s easy with local officials. They’re the ones you may have to ask for permission before expanding your business; they may decide whether your street gets repaved; they set education standards for your children and determine how much you’ll have to pay in property taxes.

While we can’t promise that you’ll love all your local options on the ballot, we can say you’ll find many dedicated and trustworthy people who deserve your consideration.

This is the good news about this election. Your votes make the most difference — on the election’s results and on your life — at the local level.

So please, don’t show up to the polls on Nov. 8 to vote for president; show up to vote on everything else.