Gary Johnson is best known this election cycle for his gaffes. He didn’t know what Aleppo was. He couldn’t name any world leaders he respected. He repeatedly engaged in petty, machismo banter.

I am not a Gary Johnson apologist. I am, however, a pragmatist.

Take a look at the numbers — in all likelihood, your major party vote doesn’t matter. How much your vote could matter depends on (1) how likely it is to change the outcome in your state, and (2) how likely the outcome then of your state is to change the outcome of the election. If you live in a solidly red state, blue state, or a state that won’t influence the election outcome, your vote is simply an endorsement of the status quo.

A vote for Gary Johnson, on the other hand, actually makes a difference. If Gary Johnson gets 5%, he crosses the threshold for FEC funding for a minor party. This funding — which would have amounted to ~$10 million this election cycle (rather than the current hard-won $2 million) — would elevate a struggling minor party to a major player with a real voice.

In 37 of the 50 states, earning anywhere from 1 to 5% would also guarantee third party ballot access in the years to come. The libertarian party needs significant voter turnout in each of those states to be successful.

A vote for Gary Johnson is not a vote for Gary Johnson — he simply can’t win. A vote for Gary Johnson is a vote for pluralism and representative democracy. It is a message of dissatisfaction with how things are run. It has real consequences for coming elections, and it could lead to real choices outside of major party lines in the future.

This is an election of voting against, not voting for. Clinton and Trump are the most hated candidates in US history, and it has nothing to do with partisanship. One in three people under 50 dislike both political candidates. Instead of voting against Trump or Hillary with a partisan vote, vote against the system that has elevated them.

The most hated incumbent in US history will take office this year, and we deserve better. Vote to send a message. Vote to save a failing partisan system. Vote for real change. Vote for Gary Johnson.