Leading up to the midterms, a majority of Americans report feeling shut out by the political system.

The sentiment is reflected in new polling and a Minnesota business leader said there is a crossover between dissatisfaction and how economic policy is evolving. In an October survey from the Frameworks Institute, two-thirds of Americans say they believe "the system is rigged."

Todd Lefko, president of the International Business Development Company, based in the Twin Cities area, suggested because only a select group of the ultrawealthy have real access to decision-makers, everyday residents are left to feel helpless.

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"The instruments that we had from the past are basically going for the benefits of a few," Lefko explained. "The question is, why doesn't anybody in government seem to understand that?"

Lefko, who also serves on a board of executives promoting moral capitalism, said the frustration is playing out in other parts of the world, pointing to protests seen in Europe. When breaking down the Frameworks poll by political affiliation, 58% of Republicans and 71% of Democrats align with rigged system beliefs. For age groups, the percentage was much higher for those between 18 and 29 than for older adults.

Lefko noted economic shifts and who benefits from them are often fueled by global factors but the political pressure to find solutions is siloed among individual countries or even down to the local level.

"That means you're getting a separation between what the questions are and what our ability is to actually change the process," Lefko emphasized.

Lefko added the mismatch falls under issues like trade wars. He stressed when debating policy moves like tariffs, it can boil down to who tariffs are good for, as opposed to whether they are good or bad as a policy tool.

The Frameworks poll revealed six in 10 Americans think the political system needs fundamental change moving forward.