It all began—in a 21st-century sorta way—with a Facebook page.

It gathered steam when two restaurant owners (one now out of business) took the lead on starting a movement. They said they were inspired, in part, by a newspaper editorial (Jan. 19, 2011).

And now, about 475 days and several thousand Ocean City Patch comments later, it will all come to an end on Tuesday: the Great BYOB Debate of 2011-12. 

Voters go to the polls on Tuesday, May 8, to decide a binding public question on allowing "Bring Your Own Bottle" (BYOB) restaurants in Ocean City. Voters from each of the city's four wards will also pick representatives for City Council.

Here's what you need to know:

WHERE TO VOTE AND FIND RESULTS

• Check polling times and locations on our interactive ward and district map
• Ocean City to Go High-Tech With May 8 Election Results
• Sign up for Ocean City Patch breaking news alerts

BYOB QUESTION

• Read the proposed ordinance (or click on the PDF icon above)
• Business group endorsements
• Newspaper editorials
• See complete index of Ocean City Patch BYOB coverage
• Remember way back when? Video opinions from 2011