As the general election will be held on Nov 19, Malaysians aged 18 and above should prepare to make their voices heard. If you need to travel far to your voting district, you wouldn’t want to have to make last-minute decisions that could set your finances back.

Here are six things to take note of that could affect your spending as you prepare to cast your ballot.

1. Check your voter status and area

Firstly, you will need to check whether you are eligible to vote, and where your voting district is. You can do this by going to MySPRSemak and inputting your IC number. The following information will be available:

• personal details such as your name, IC number, date of birth, and gender;
• location (basically the address on your IC); and
• voting district, based on your address.

If your voting district is a distance away, you might need to spend on car or flight, bus, or train tickets to get there. This will also determine other expenses such as car maintenance, petrol, tolls, and accommodation. More on these below.

2. Apply for leave or inform your customers

If you have to travel long-distance to your voting districts, it is important to apply for leave if you are an employee, or inform your customers if you are a business owner.

This will especially affect those who get paid daily or by the hour. Do consider how many days’ leave you can afford to take, and make sure your leave balance is sufficient to cover the elections and any future breaks.

If you are a business owner but have limited staff, it is important to inform your clients that your company will be closed. While this could mean one or two days’ loss in revenue, it safeguards your reputation, and your customers will appreciate your gesture.

3. Get your transport sorted

Start planning your journey to and from your voting districts.

If travelling in a personal vehicle, make sure you send it for servicing. Yes, this requires spending, but it will likely be cheaper than the expense incurred should your vehicle break down midway through your trip – towing and emergency car repairs can cost a bomb!

Also plan how much you are able to spend on your vehicle tune-up, as well as petrol and toll payments.

For those travelling by plane, bus, and/or train, book your seats now. As the election is only weeks away, tickets will be in high demand. If you have mileage points from previous travel, consider using them now to get a cheaper deal.

4. Plan with friends or family

This differs from the previous point in that if you are travelling with companions, you will be able to save on costs by planning your commute to the voting station together. Obviously this is based on the assumption that you will all be voting at the same location.

If you are carpooling, you might be able to save on parking fees by getting someone to remain in the car while the others cast their votes. Better yet, you could all hop into a rideshare together.

5. Secure your accommodation

Accommodation will also likely be in high demand, especially since many people no longer reside in their voting district and have nowhere to stay. Some might also take this opportunity to go on a mini vacation after voting.

Look for the best hotel or AirBnB deals now. Make use of your booking points if you have any, and don’t forget to factor in your transport expenses from your accommodation to the voting station.

6. Prepare to queue

As there will likely be a long queue while you wait to cast your vote, it’s best to come prepared. This means bringing enough water or hydration beverages, and cooling devices such as a mini-USB fan if it’s a hot day.

An umbrella or hat could help you feel more comfortable, too. On the flipside, you might need an umbrella or raincoat if it’s a wet day.

For those with elderly family members, do obtain appropriate mobility devices for them. A wheelchair, or even a plastic stool so they can rest, are options to consider.

Finally, don’t forget to stay safe by masking up and using sanitiser as needed.

This article was written by Su-Wei Ho for MyPF. To simplify and grow your personal finances, follow MyPF on Facebook and Instagram.