As registered voters across the United States get ready to cast their ballots in the upcoming November midterm elections, questions surrounding the integrity and safety of the voting process remain a prominent concern. In response to these widespread civic interests, the George M. Ewing Canandaigua Forum is dedicating the launch of its milestone 15th season to a comprehensive examination of how electoral systems are shielded and maintained.
The opening session, titled "Protecting Your Ballot: Election Security Ahead of the 2026 Midterms," is scheduled to take place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20. The presentation will be hosted at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center, located at 20 Fort Hill Ave. in Canandaigua, serving as the inaugural event for the organization's new programming calendar.
At the core of the discussion will be an in-depth look at the operational mechanisms deployed to safeguard modern election infrastructure. Attendees will hear directly about the technical strategies used to detect emerging threats, the safeguards established around voting equipment, and the broad array of proactive protocols designed to preserve public trust in American democratic institutions.
Two leading administrators from the New York State Board of Elections will serve as the featured guest speakers for the afternoon gathering. Their combined professional backgrounds will provide local residents with insight into both the technical defenses and public-facing communication strategies employed across New York state.
Chief Information Security Officer Ben Spear will represent the technical and cybersecurity branch of the state board. In his official role, Spear brings extensive, hands-on experience in defending critical voting infrastructure against digital vulnerabilities, drawing from a background that spans both statewide initiatives and national-level security operations.
Joining him on stage is Kathleen McGrath, the director of public information and chief communications officer for the New York State Board of Elections. Serving as the primary media spokesperson for the regulatory agency, McGrath oversees institutional efforts centered on election administration transparency, public voter education, voting security announcements, and campaign finance oversight.
The conversation between the state election leaders and the audience will be guided by Evan Dawson, a familiar regional media figure who serves as the host of WXXI's talk program "Connections." Dawson will facilitate the question-and-answer exchange and help unpack complex administrative details for community members in attendance.
The election security presentation marks the beginning of an expansive four-part speaker series planned by the forum organizers. Following the kickoff event, subsequent presentations across the 2026–2027 season will highlight prominent figures offering expertise on major topics in medical research, international cybersecurity, and television entertainment.
The second program of the season, titled "Facing Parkinson's: New Science, New Strategies, Real Lives," is scheduled for Oct. 11. The session will feature presentations from Dr. Ray Dorsey and Dr. Sarah Whittingham, who plan to explore the cutting edge of scientific breakthroughs concerning Parkinson's disease while highlighting effective therapeutic approaches.
Their healthcare presentation will be moderated by Maggie Kuhl, representing the Michael J. Fox Foundation. The panel aims to bridge clinical advancements with the everyday realities of the condition by examining emerging laboratory research alongside the firsthand lived experiences of affected patients and their families.
In the spring, the series will shift its attention to global technological defense with a program titled "Defending the Digital Frontier: Understanding Today's Cyber Risks and Tomorrow's Solutions." Slated for March 7, 2027, the presentation will feature Gen. Tim Haugh, the former director of the National Security Agency and former commander of U.S. Cyber Command.
Gen. Haugh's discussion on evolving cyber landscapes will be moderated by Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a Canandaigua native. The discussion will cover pressing online threats confronting modern infrastructure and review strategic responses needed to counter digital risks in the future.
The 15th season will conclude on April 18, 2027, with an arts and culture presentation titled "Scenes from a Storied Career: An Entertaining Conversation with Tom Fontana." Fontana, a native of Buffalo, is an Emmy Award-winning writer, producer, and playwright widely celebrated for his groundbreaking work on classic television dramas such as "St. Elsewhere," "Homicide: Life on the Street," and "Oz."
The retrospective with Fontana will be moderated by journalist, author, and fellow Canandaigua native Michael Winship. Winship will lead an engaging dialogue tracing Fontana's decades-long creative journey, discussing behind-the-scenes stories and the evolution of storytelling within the television and entertainment industry.
Established to foster thoughtful civic discourse, the George M. Ewing Canandaigua Forum operates with a mission to enrich cultural and intellectual life across the Finger Lakes region. By bringing high-profile thinkers, public servants, and industry leaders to Ontario County, the forum provides a platform for meaningful dialogue on significant contemporary issues.
All events throughout the upcoming 15th season will be staged at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center in Canandaigua. Admission tickets are priced at $30 per event and may be reserved in advance through the organization's official website at gmeforum.org or purchased directly by contacting the venue's box office by telephone at 585-412-6043.
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