As voters across the United States prepare to cast their ballots in the upcoming November midterm elections, the security and reliability of democratic systems remain a subject of widespread public attention. In Ontario County, this critical issue will serve as the focal point for the opening of the 15th season of the George M. Ewing Canandaigua Forum, which is launching its new speaker series with a comprehensive look at how voting operations are safeguarded against potential risks.
The inaugural event of the season, titled "Protecting Your Ballot: Election Security Ahead of the 2026 Midterms," is scheduled to take place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 20. The presentation will be hosted at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center, situated at 20 Fort Hill Avenue in Canandaigua, bringing state administrative leaders directly to the Finger Lakes region to address local community members.
The session is designed to provide attendees with an in-depth examination of the measures deployed to protect modern election infrastructure. Key topics will include how potential technical vulnerabilities and threats are identified, how defensive safeguards are implemented, and what ongoing protocols are maintained by administrators to reinforce overall public confidence in the democratic voting process.
Leading the technical discussion will be Ben Spear, the chief information security officer for the New York State Board of Elections. In his statewide role, Spear brings extensive background and years of direct, hands-on operational experience dedicated to defending election infrastructure and digital networks at both the state and national levels.
Joining Spear on the presentation panel is Kathleen McGrath, who serves as the director of public information for the New York State Board of Elections. In her role as the state agency’s chief communications officer and principal spokesperson, McGrath coordinates public messaging, community outreach, and informational campaigns regarding voter education, general election administration, campaign finance compliance, and election system security.
The dialogue between the state election leaders will be moderated by Evan Dawson, a well-known regional media figure and the host of the daily talk program "Connections" on WXXI. Dawson will guide the conversation, helping to explore the practical mechanisms and oversight duties that ensure election integrity across the state ahead of the fall voting period.
The upcoming presentation reflects the overarching purpose of the George M. Ewing Canandaigua Forum. The long-running organization is dedicated to enriching both the civic and cultural environment throughout the Finger Lakes region by inviting prominent guest speakers and creating opportunities for constructive, thoughtful community dialogue on pivotal issues influencing contemporary society.
Following the September focus on election security, the forum’s 15th season will transition to the field of medical science on Sunday, October 11, with a program titled "Facing Parkinson's: New Science, New Strategies, Real Lives." This panel will delve into clinical advancements, research breakthroughs, and the practical day-to-day realities encountered by patients living with the neurodegenerative disorder.
The October healthcare presentation will feature Dr. Ray Dorsey alongside Dr. Sarah Whittingham, who will collectively present emerging Parkinson's disease research while reflecting on the lived experiences of patients and their families. Their discussion will be moderated by Maggie Kuhl, representing the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
The speaker series will reconvene early next year with an exploration of broader national security concerns on Sunday, March 7, 2027. Titled "Defending the Digital Frontier: Understanding Today's Cyber Risks and Tomorrow's Solutions," the event will examine the contemporary digital threat landscape and strategies for future network defense.
The keynote speaker for the March digital security event will be Gen. Tim Haugh, the former director of the National Security Agency and former commander of U.S. Cyber Command. Gen. Haugh’s presentation will be moderated by Michael O'Hanlon, a Canandaigua native and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
The 15th season will officially conclude in the spring with a session highlighting the arts and entertainment industries. Scheduled for Sunday, April 18, 2027, "Scenes from a Storied Career: An Entertaining Conversation with Tom Fontana" will offer an insider's look at television production, storytelling, and screenwriting.
The program spotlights Tom Fontana, an Emmy Award-winning producer, writer, and playwright who is originally from Buffalo. Fontana will share anecdotes and professional insights gathered across a distinguished television career that includes critically acclaimed programs such as the medical drama "St. Elsewhere," the police drama "Homicide: Life on the Street," and the groundbreaking series "Oz."
Fontana’s conversation will also include local moderation from journalist, author, and Canandaigua native Michael Winship. Winship will lead the dialogue, guiding Fontana through an entertaining retrospective of his extensive work in the television and performing arts sectors.
All presentations in the George M. Ewing Canandaigua Forum series will be held at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center, located at 20 Fort Hill Avenue in Canandaigua. Admission tickets for each event are available for $30 per person.
Members of the public interested in attending any of the upcoming forum sessions can obtain tickets through the organization’s official website at gmeforum.org. Seats may also be reserved by contacting the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center box office directly by phone at 585-412-6043.
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