In 2024, fewer than one in four US youth felt like they belonged to a group that expresses itself politically, and 44 percent of young nonvoters were disinterested or disliked the candidates. In a moment where many adults of all ages are dissatisfied with politics, polarization, and American governmental institutions, the state of youth civic engagement is of particular importance. What does the next generation of voters understand about how they can engage civically? What do they believe about civic engagement? And how can educators and education policymakers support these young citizens better? As civics educators, the authors believe it is essential that state policymakers understand the current state of youth civic engagement and recognize their critical role in creating the enabling conditions for increasing opportunities for young people to be engaged in civic life. This article argues that state policymakers must also directly engage with youth to help them develop civic skills.