What happens when neither candidate is your ideal candidate? In my country, it has been decades that people have had to choose between bad and worse. All handpicked by the "system" and not a single one being an ideal candidate for the "people".
http://www.virginiaplaces.org/government/writein.html
but the article also shows that some write-in wins are based on a technicality, like when there are more seats than nominated candidates.
in other words, this is not a level playing field. write-in candidates are not on equal footing with candidates nominated by established parties. even alternative parties usually have little chance.
in a truly democratic system write-in candidates would have an equal chance to get elected compared to those nominated by major parties. i don't know what the solution here is. in the current systems, those with more funds can do more campaigning. so do we need to eliminate campaigning entirely?
My point is more that you are bemoaning your lack of influence and power, not pointing out some glaring unfairness in the system
equal chance refers to the awareness and knowledge about each candidate among the voting population. that can be achieved by promoting all candidates equally.
for other qualities, we need to get a better understanding what makes good candidates, and educate voters to choose candidates based on that.