Youth political engagement measures how Americans under 30 participate in democracy through voting, activism, organizing, and running for office. Turnout among 18-29 year-olds has historically lagged older groups—in the 2016 presidential election, 46% of young voters cast ballots compared to 71% of seniors 65 and older. That gap narrowed in 2018 and 2020: young voter turnout jumped to 50% in the 2020 presidential race, the highest rate since the voting age dropped to 18 in 1971. Young people now match older voters in protesting and organizing—surveys show 18-29 year-olds attend protests, contact elected officials, and share political content online at higher rates than previous generations did at the same age. They drove movements like March for Our Lives (gun reform), Sunrise Movement (climate action), and Black Lives Matter protests. Barriers remain: young voters move frequently (complicating registration), lack transportation to polls, attend colleges without nearby polling places, and face strict ID laws. Politicians often ignore youth priorities because older voters turn out more reliably, creating a cycle where young people feel unheard and disengage. Groups like Rock the Vote and HeadCount use music festivals and social media to register voters and boost turnout among 18-29 year-olds.