Barbara Risser, George M. Ewing Canandaigua Forum / September 22, 2026
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y., September 21, 2026 — The George M. Ewing Canandaigua Forum opened its 15th season on Sunday, September 20, with Protecting Your Ballot: Election Security Ahead of the 2026 Midterms, a timely discussion featuring two officials from the New York State Board of Elections.
Ben Spear, Chief Infrastructure and Security Officer and Director of the Board’s Secure Elections Center, and Kathleen McGrath, Director of Public Information, offered an inside look at the safeguards used to protect New York’s election systems and maintain public confidence in the democratic process.
The conversation, moderated by journalist and WXXI Connections host Evan Dawson, explored the evolving threats facing elections, the measures used to protect election technology and the challenges created by misinformation and public mistrust. Spear and McGrath also discussed collaboration among state, local and federal agencies and offered guidance on how voters can distinguish reliable information from misleading claims.
Among the issues drawing particular interest from the audience was the security of voting machines from potential hacking. Spear and McGrath emphasized that by federal law voting machines cannot be connected to the internet, which is a significant safeguard.
“Election security is an issue that affects every voter, and we were pleased to bring two people with direct, firsthand experience to our community,” said Barbara Risser, chair of the Ewing Forum Board of Directors. “Their discussion helped separate facts from fears while giving audience members a clearer understanding of the extensive work taking place behind the scenes to protect our elections.”
The event also marked the public debut of the Forum’s updated logo and visual identity. The new branding, featured throughout the theater and in the Forum’s Season 15 program book, reflects the organization’s longstanding commitment to thoughtful conversation, community engagement and the exchange of ideas.
Following the program, Friends of the Forum and other guests continued the conversation with the speakers at a reception. This season, the Forum is partnering with local wineries to showcase their wines during the reception. Keuka Spring Vineyards from Penn Yan served as the inaugural winery partner.
The next Ewing Forum program, Facing Parkinson’s: New Science, New Strategies, Real Lives, will be held Sunday, October 11, at 4 p.m. at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center. The program will feature neurologist, researcher and public health leader Dr. Ray Dorsey and physician, Air Force veteran, author and Parkinson’s patient Dr. Sara Whittingham. The program will be moderated by Maggie Kuhl of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
For information about upcoming programs, becoming a Friend of the Forum or supporting the organization, visit gmeforum.org.
About the George M. Ewing Canandaigua Forum
The George M. Ewing Canandaigua Forum is a nonprofit speaker series that engages people in thoughtful, stimulating and informed discourse on intellectual and cultural topics of regional, national and world interest. Through presentations by emerging voices and leading figures in their fields, the Forum seeks to inspire dialogue within the community.
