Another embodiment has a method of driving a display device including an array of MEMS elements is disclosed. The MEMS elements are characterized by a preferred set of drive potential differences including preferred positive and preferred negative actuation potential differences, preferred positive and preferred negative hold potential differences, and a preferred release potential difference, where the preferred set of drive potential differences is symmetric about a voltage differing from 0V by an offset dV. Another embodiment has a reduced set of supply voltages are used, while maintainingthe charge balancing effects of applying potential differences of opposite polarity without visible artifacts.