Contrary to popular belief, young people *are* interested in democracy. However, their engagement extends far beyond simply casting a vote. A key challenge for fostering youth participation isn’t necessarily increasing voter turnout, but ensuring young people feel their ideas and perspectives are genuinely considered. The core desire is to have agency – to believe their input matters and can influence outcomes. This suggests a disconnect between traditional democratic processes focused on voting and what young citizens actually seek from political systems. The article highlights a need to move beyond solely focusing on electoral participation, and instead address the deeper desire for meaningful influence. Ultimately, genuine democratic engagement for young people hinges on feeling heard and valued within the political landscape.