Not everyone should vote. If your views are substantially outside the mainstream there is no point in voting.
Voting pragmatically in local elections likely still makes sense even for people with extreme views. A few of the races are likely to be close and have candidates with disparate viewpoints.
Years ago I volunteers to work on a local campaign to help a candidate. I use to think local elections were different as well, but during that time I realized local elections are pretty much just as screwed up as elections on the state/national level. It all comes down to money, advertising and building a narrative.
People don't pay attention to what mayors actually do, plus a terrible mayor can live off the planning of the previous administration for most of their term in office (and thereby take credit for things they didn't touch).
I'm not confused about your meaning, but disputing such characterization of the situation. A vote for a candidate is a vote for that candidate, an endorsement of their subsequent actions. Don't get tricked by subjectively slightly "less worse" candidates.
Voting pragmatically in local elections likely still makes sense even for people with extreme views. A few of the races are likely to be close and have candidates with disparate viewpoints.