Write-ins don't even count if they're not officially on the eligible write-in candidate roster.

It actually depends on the state, actually.  Most states do indeed require candidates to be on a roster.  My home state of Iowa doesn't require it, though.  That having been said, I've been living in Minnesota this last year, and darn, I forgot that the rules were different here.  This really sucks.

24601

I'm just gonna start directing people to this entry whenever they try to tell me voting third party is a wasted vote

Issues or write-ins aside, it was important to vote for local elections too. So in theory you could've abstained from voting for president but could still vote for your senators, representatives, governors, ext. Props for voting!

I'm just gonna start directing people to this entry whenever they try to tell me voting third party is a wasted vote

It's not really a 'wasted' vote more than just voting for someone who has no chance of getting elected. No 3rd party candidate to this day has ever won presidency.