Is it haram to vote in an upcoming democratic election?

Living in the West here (US) and a major election is weeks away and now I’m on the fence about voting altogether. I’m not voting for any presidential candidate but I badly want to vote down ballot for statewide and county seats.

Google search on this topic turns up mixed messages, mostly leaning towards it’s haram/a form of kufr to nominate leaders in non-shariah governments. I’ve heard/read both sides.

This’ll be my 3rd major election but the first one I’m considering sitting out of. If you were in my shoes would you vote or would you abstain altogether for religious reasons?