"In the age of AI, the most valuable thing you can be is unmistakably human."

Our Mission

Campaigns, but for humans.

Why We Exist

Politics shouldn't be reserved for the well-connected or well-rehearsed. We’re here for first-timers, longshots, and long-haulers who care about their communities but don’t know where to start, or who started and got stuck. Authenticity resonates. But it needs a plan behind it.

What We're Fixing

Running for office is confusing, expensive, and often demoralizing. Most campaign tools are made for big machines - not real people. Advice is scattered. Support is inconsistent. And good candidates get left behind.

What We're Building

A platform that meets you where you are. Step-by-step guides, smart tools, and one-on-one support, all designed for first-time, grassroots campaigns.

About the team

Our work is rooted in real campaign experience, years in tech, and a shared belief that everyday people make great leaders. One of us has spent a career building tools and supporting local races. The other represents District 32 in the South Dakota House and brings over a decade of experience teaching STEM. None of this would be possible without the generosity, insight, and encouragement of the many people who’ve shared their time, stories, and hard-earned lessons with us along the way.

  • Forest Balk

    Founder

    Forest is a product-minded engineering leader with a B.S. in Computer Science from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and over 15 years of experience across startups and public companies. Forest has led diverse teams through acquisitions and reorgs, managed engineering orgs across Boston, Chicago, NYC, and beyond, and served as campaign manager and advisor for candidates running for local office, including their spouse Nicole.

  • Nicole Uhre-Balk

    Founding Strategic Advisor

    Electability Lab was founded with insight and support from Nicole Uhre-Balk, our Founding Strategic Advisor, who helped shape our early vision. Nicole Uhre-Balk is a South Dakota State Representative with over a decade of experience teaching science and computer science in classrooms across Seattle, Boston, and Rapid City. She has led statewide STEM initiatives, developed hands-on science programs, and supported teacher training across South Dakota.