# Agendas & Meetings
Prepping for Fall Elections: What Not To Do
Avoid common pitfalls this election season by fortifying your local government agency’s digital infrastructure. Watch the webinar to learn how.
Original Air Date: April 23, 2024
Watch the Webinar
As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” The good news? Preparing your local government for the 2024 election season by fortifying your digital infrastructure is more than just an ounce of prevention — it is the cure for common cybersecurity vulnerabilities, user interface design flaws, and more.
Watch this 60-minute webinar in which local government technology pros and former election staff will reveal some of the most popular mistakes made by agencies during election cycles. Drawing from real-life examples and firsthand experience, our expert panel and presenter will lead an in-depth discussion during which registered webinar attendees will:
- Learn how to avoid common election season pitfalls by implementing effective digital strategies
- Engage in a live question-and-answer (Q&A) session to glean valuable insights and gain practical advice directly from local government technology pros and former elections staff
- Discover why leveraging the right technology solutions is key to boosting community engagement, safeguarding data integrity, and upholding public trust during election cycles
In this webinar you’ll find out how to avoid mistakes such as:
- Assuming current website thresholds will accommodate election season volumes
- Neglecting cybersecurity measures
- Ignoring accessibility standards
- Relying solely on static content
- Disregarding user feedback
Watch on demand now to discover how your local government agency can steer clear of these pitfalls and make this fall your community’s most successful election season yet.
Meet the Panelists and Presenter
Stephen French
Solutions Engineer II, Former Clerk
Stephen M. French is a solutions engineer at CivicPlus, focusing on our Agenda and Meeting Management software. Before coming to CivicPlus, he spent nearly 25 years as a municipal clerk in Michigan and Ohio and has served on the board of both state’s Clerks Associations Stephen has attained the designation of Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) and received a Masters of Public Administration degree from the University of Dayton.
Sarah Bydalek
CivicPlus Enterprise Account Manager
Sarah is an accomplished Enterprise Account Manager at CivicPlus, leveraging her extensive experience in local government and elections. With a remarkable tenure of 15 years as the Elected City Clerk in Walker, MI., Sarah brings unparalleled expertise in navigating the complexities of local governance and electoral processes in Michigan. Sarah holds an Associate Degree in Business Administration, underscoring her proficiency in organizational management and strategic planning. She is passionate about empowering communities and fostering civic engagement. Sarah continues to make a lasting impact through her work and collaboration at CivicPlus.
Security Analyst III
CivicPlus Security Analyst III Mike Nowak has over 15 years of Information Security and Information Technology experience, with concentrations in the public sector. Mike joined CivicPlus in 2021 and has helped CivicPlus ensure compliance and security for our customers and employees. Mike is CompTIA CASP+ Certified and CySA+ certified and holds multiple other security certifications.
Julie Bolton
CivicPlus Solutions Manager
Prior to CivicPlus, Julie worked in local government as an Elections Administrator and as Clerk to the County Board of Commissioners in Clinton County, Ohio. She also ran her own business designing WordPress websites for nonprofits, government agencies, and small businesses.
As a Product Strategy Manager driven by a desire to make technology more accessible, I leverage my diverse interests, never-ending curiosity, and collaborative skills to create, manage, and promote products that people love to use and must have. Combining a deep understanding of government processes with cutting-edge technology expertise, I’m dedicated to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of public services through data-driven solutions.
Megan Lach
Demand Generation Manager at CivicPlus
Megan Lach is a seasoned Demand Generation Manager at CivicPlus, armed with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a wealth of experience in the Saas industry. Megan’s proficiency lies in formulating and executing dynamic marketing strategies across diverse platforms. Beyond her professional prowess, Megan embodies a robust work ethic, a positive demeanor, and exceptional communication skills. As an adept team player, she seamlessly collaborates with cross-functional teams, uniting sales, product marketing, and customer success to realize shared objectives.