We are not a democracy, we are a constitutional republic. Pure democracies are generally terrible systems anyway.
Voting is for people who have delusions about what our system really is.
We are (in theory, at least) all of:
(1) A representative democracy, (2) A constitutional republic, (3) A federal republic, (4) A democratic republic, (5) A constitutional democracy.
(In addition, many states also have substantial elements of direct democracy.)
"Democracy" and "Republic" are not exclusive categories.
> Pure democracies are generally terrible systems anyway.
Presumably by "pure", you mean "direct". But that's not the only kind of democracy, nor is it more "pure" than any other kind.
A republic means the laws are applicable to all citizens ; it defines a juridic order.
A democracy means that the sovereignty is in the people ; it defines a way of taking collective decisions.
I agree that even in France where I live, and which defines itself as a democracy (under its 5th republic), the democratic principles are not followed to the letter. It does not mean however that voting is useless, on the contrary, it is one of many ways to contribute to the political life and participate in making a better system.