Fort Bend County residents planning to vote on Election Day, Nov. 8, should keep these helpful tips in mind before heading to the polls:

1. Check your voter eligibility.

Before voting, make sure you are eligible and registered. To ensure eligibility, visit www.fortbendcountytx.gov/index.aspx?page=338. Fort Bend County voters must be U.S. citizens, Fort Bend County residents, at least 18 years old, not a convicted felon, not considered mentally incapacitated by a final judgment of a court and have registered to vote by Oct. 11.

2. Preview the ballot.

Fort Bend County sample ballots can be found here.

3. Find your polling location.

Election Day voters in Fort Bend County may vote at any of the county's polling locations. All polling locations will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Click here for a complete list of Fort Bend County polling locations.

4. Drop off your children.

The YMCA of Greater Houston will offer two free hours of childcare for children between ages 6 months to 11 years old on Election Day. Parents who are not YMCA members should allow 30 minutes to complete the registration and check-in process. To find your participating YMCA’s hours or to register your child, call 281-367-9622 or visit www.ymcahouston.org.

5. Bring the proper identification.

If you have lost your voter registration card, you can still vote by presenting proof of identity at the polling location and signing an affidavit. For a replacement certificate, call 512-424-2600 or visit www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/electionID.htm. Acceptable photo IDs:

• Texas driver’s license issued by DPS
• Texas election identification certificate issued by DPS
• Texas license to carry a handgun issued by DPS
• Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
• U.S. military identification card
• U.S. passport
• U.S. citizenship certificate

No photo ID? Fill out a declaration at the polls explaining why and bring one of the following supporting documents:

• Valid voter registration certificate
• Original certified birth certificate
• Copy of or original bank statement
• Copy of or original government check or paycheck
• Copy of or original current utility bill
• Copy of original government document with your name and address

If you are unable to provide a photo ID or approved supporting documents, you may vote provisionally. This entails signing a provisional affidavit and curing your ballot within six days by bringing proper photo ID to the voter registrar.

6. Follow voting etiquette.

Voters will be asked to turn off their cell phones before entering polling locations. Taking “selfies” and wearing campaign-related clothing will not be allowed on the premises.

7. Let others know.

Using the hashtag #FBCVotes, snap a photo of your “I Voted” sticker after leaving the polling location or share feedback about the election on Twitter and Facebook.

8. Attend a local watch party.

The Fort Bend Young Republicans election night watch party will kick off at 7 p.m. at Constellation Field, 1 Stadium Dr, Sugar Land. For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page. The Fort Bend Democrats election night watch party will kick off at 6:30 p.m. at Petrie Sport Lounge, 6302 Highway 6, Missouri City. For information, contact (832)-791-2016.

9. Follow Community Impact Newspaper for live election results.

Your local edition of Community Impact Newspaper will be covering the elections that matter most to you around the clock Nov. 8. Follow along on Facebook, Twitter and on www.communityimpact.com for updates throughout the evening.