It's not the reality of How we wish but the reality of what Democracy is. It's either Majority Rule or it's not and reality doesn't come into play because we never went on a wishing trip.

It would be far more meaningful if those who actually wanted to protest turned in blank ballots. At best non voting is an ignored abstention at at worst simply recognized as not caring enough to even have a voice in the process.

It's a vote on principle, and regardless of blank ballots, and your inferring on what people "care", because clearly it's recognized that the Majority didn't Vote whichever way you slice it, so it's not Democracy.

If 11% gather to vote is it still Democracy, if 1% of 11% gathered is it still a democracy? The Beard Argument.