<h3>By Sally Mahan</h3>
As part of our ongoing series on the local questions and candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot, we look at the election of an at-large nonpartisan candidate to the Beaufort City Council.

The incumbent, Mike McFee, has two challengers: Nannette Burgess Brown Sutton and David Taub. The council is made up of five members, including the mayor.

All are elected at-large to four-year, staggered terms, with elections held every two years. Members elect a mayor pro tem from within the body to serve in the absence of the mayor.

The council meets the second and fourth Tuesday of every a month for regular meetings and the second, third and fourth Tuesdays of every month for
work sessions.

They make about $4,800 a year, although the mayor earns about $1,200 more per year.

For a look at the three candidates, see page A7.

Here’s a few things to consider before going to the polls.

<b>Voter registration</b>

It’s imperative to know whether you are registered to vote. The deadline has passed to register, but if you’re unsure of your status, visit www.bcgov.vote and scroll down to the red, white and blue “Vote” button or call 843-255-6900.

<b>Voting times</b>

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8. As long as you are in line by 7 p.m. you cannot be denied the right to vote. If it’s a minute past that time, you will have lost your chance.

<b>Polling places</b>

Make sure you know your polling place before heading out on Nov. 8. Visit www.bcgov.vote and click on “Polling Locations” or call 843-255-6900.

<b>Identification</b>

Voters must bring one of the following pieces of photo identification in order to vote: S.C. driver's license; ID card issued by S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles; S.C. voter registration card with photo; federal military ID; or a U.S. passport.

<b>What’s on the ballot</b>

To get a sample ballot, again, visit www.bcgov.vote, and go to “Sample Ballot.”

For stories about what’s on the ballot, visit yourislandnews.com and click on “Election 2016.”

<b>Absentee voting</b>

There is no “early voting” in South Carolina, but absentee voting is currently taking place.

Persons qualified to vote by absentee ballot include members of the military; overseas citizens; students attending school outside their county of residence; the physically disabled; people who plan on being on vacation; people who for reasons of employment will not be able to vote on election day; jurors; hospital patients; people 65 and over; and other classifications, which can be found at www.scvotes.org.

To cast an absentee ballot, voters must apply for a ballot.

Visit www.bcgov.vote or call or visit the Beaufort office at 15 John Galt Road, 843-255-6900; or the Bluffton office at 61B Ulmer Road, 843-255-6940.

Absentee voting hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday; and by 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8.