Knights of Columbus to charge County Election Board for polling site use

The Marshall County Election Board will have to pay to use the Knights of Columbus Hall for the primary and general elections.

During Monday’s board meeting, County Clerk Jenny Bennitt said she was notified after the presidential election last November that the K of C would need to start charging for the facility's use.

Last week, Bennitt discussed the matter with a representative of the K of C and learned that the rental fee would be $300, with a $250 deposit required.  She asked if they could waive the deposit, and that request will be considered by the K of C board for a determination.

The Clerk said they’ve never had to pay to use a location for the election process, so she will have to include that additional cost in the budgeting process for 2026.

Election Board President Steve Harper said, “I think it’s been great that the communities have allowed us to use all these facilities free of charge.  There’s definitely going to be a point in time when that comes to an end.  Especially as polling centers take a toll on facilities than when we just had precincts.”   Harper’s comment was an indication that more people are going in and out of the vote centers than all the different precincts, plus the need for more parking. 

Bennitt said she will contact the Auditor’s Office about the deposit, as the money will be disbursed and then returned to the county following the election.  She was hopeful that the deposit would be waived.