In a presidential election a voter casts a vote for a “ticket”. Yes, it comes down to the Electoral College which officially selects our president and vice president, but most times the elector will follow the popular vote. Some states even require them to do so. I believe it has happened only 4 times that an elector has “changed” their position: In 1820 a New Hampshire elector voted for John Quincy Adams, but was pledged to vote for James Monroe, In 1960 an Oklahoma elector voted for Harry F. Byrd instead of Richard Nixon, an again in 1968 a North Carolina elector voted for George C. Wallace instead of Nixon, and in 1988 a West Virginia elector voted for Lloyd Bentsen instead of Dukakis.
Cliffs: Your vote for President/Vice President DOES matter.