By Barbara Risser Chair, Ewing Forum Board / September 9, 2026
Elections experts Ben Spear and Kathleen McGrath (pictured) lead the opening forum event with a conversation about the upcoming midterm elections.
Canandaigua, NY – The George M. Ewing Canandaigua Forum will launch its 15th season with a timely and thought-provoking discussion on election security featuring Ben Spear and Kathleen McGrath, representatives from the New York State Board of Elections.
The event, “Protecting Your Ballot: Election Security Ahead of the 2026 Midterms,” will take place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center in Canandaigua.
Moderated by Evan Dawson, host of WXXI’s Connections, the conversation will provide a clear-eyed look at how election systems are protected, how threats are detected, and what measures are in place to maintain public confidence in the democratic process as voters prepare for the 2026 midterm elections.
In this timely program, Spear, chief information security officer for the state Board of Elections, offers a clear and grounded look at how elections are protected, and what is fact versus fear as the 2026 midterm elections approach. Drawing on years of hands-on experience defending election infrastructure at both the state and national levels, Spear brings audiences directly inside the systems, safeguards, and strategies designed to protect the democratic process.
McGrath is the director of public information for the state Board of Elections. As the agency’s chief communications officer, she serves as its primary spokesperson, leading public information efforts on election administration, voter education, election security, and campaign finance. She has helped coordinate statewide election security initiatives with federal, state, and local partners and has led public outreach efforts to combat election misinformation and strengthen public confidence in New York’s election process.
Election officials today face unprecedented challenges. Cyber threats evolve rapidly, misinformation spreads quickly, and public trust is increasingly fragile. In this conversation, Spear and McGrath will explain how election systems are secured, what vulnerabilities are actively monitored, and how collaboration among local, state, and national partners strengthens resilience. Rather than speculation or political rhetoric, this discussion focuses on practical realities and proven approaches to risk management.
Audiences will gain insight into the current threat landscape facing U.S. elections, how New York State approaches election cybersecurity, what has changed since recent election cycles, and what has not, and how preparation for the 2026 midterms has long been underway.
With experience in cybersecurity, law enforcement training, and public administration, Spear and McGrath provide a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on what it takes to defend democratic systems in an increasingly complex digital age.
The event opens a milestone season for the Forum, which for 15 years has brought distinguished speakers and meaningful community conversations to the Finger Lakes region. This season’s lineup explores issues ranging from public health and cybersecurity to the arts and entertainment. Tickets are on sale now at gmeforum.org!
Upcoming Season 15 Talks:
October 11, 2026 – Facing Parkinson’s: New Science, New Strategies, Real Lives with Dr. Ray Dorsey and Dr. Sarah Whittingham, moderated by Maggie Kuhl of the Michael J. Fox Foundation. The discussion will explore emerging Parkinson’s research alongside the lived experience of patients and families.
March 7, 2027 – Defending the Digital Frontier: Understanding Today’s Cyber Risks and Tomorrow’s Solutions with General Tim Haugh, former Director of the National Security Agency and Commander of U.S. Cyber Command, moderated by Michael O’Hanlon of the Brookings Institution.
April 18, 2027 – Scenes from a Storied Career: An Entertaining Conversation with Emmy Award-winning writer, playwright, and producer Tom Fontana, moderated by journalist and author Michael Winship. The Buffalo native will share stories and insights from a television career that includes St. Elsewhere, Homicide: Life on the Street, and Oz.
Get Tickets: All events will be held at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center (FHPAC), 20 Fort Hill Avenue, Canandaigua. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at gmeforum.org or by calling the FHPAC box office at (585) 412-6043.
About the Forum: The George M. Ewing Canandaigua Forum is dedicated to enriching civic and cultural life in the Finger Lakes region by presenting distinguished speakers and fostering thoughtful dialogue on issues that shape our world.
