diff --git a/bot_messages/vote_start.txt b/bot_messages/vote_start.txt
index f67865e..afd1b0d 100644
--- a/bot_messages/vote_start.txt
+++ b/bot_messages/vote_start.txt
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ====================
 <@&{clan_member_id}>, it's time to vote for clan council.
 
-React with <{voting_emote_id}> to vote.
+Press the Vote button to vote!
 Voting ends next {voting_end_day}, {voting_end}.
 Results will then be announced.
 
diff --git a/classes/election_cycle.py b/classes/election_cycle.py
index 274f856..a7c02ac 100644
--- a/classes/election_cycle.py
+++ b/classes/election_cycle.py
@@ -2,15 +2,18 @@
 Contains the election cycle class
 """
 
+import collections
 from datetime import datetime
 
 import nextcord
 from sqlalchemy import select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 
+from classes.nominate_views import NominateView
+from classes.voting_views import VoteView
 from config import DakinyConfig
-from database_setup.sql_data_classes import ElectionInformation, engine
-from utils import get_datetime
+from database_setup.sql_data_classes import CouncilMembers, ElectionInformation, Votes, engine
+from utils import build_votes_str, get_datetime, get_election_cycle_name
 
 
 class ElectionCycle:
@@ -31,15 +34,15 @@ class ElectionCycle:
 
         self.config: DakinyConfig = config
         self.cycle = cycle
-        self.elecion_cycle = self.config.election_cycles[self.cycle]
-        self.election_start: datetime = get_datetime(self.elecion_cycle.election_start)
-        self.term_start: datetime = get_datetime(self.elecion_cycle.term_start)
-        self.term_end: datetime = get_datetime(self.elecion_cycle.term_end)
-        self.voting_start: datetime = get_datetime(self.elecion_cycle.voting_start)
-        self.voting_end: datetime = get_datetime(self.elecion_cycle.voting_end)
-        self.highcouncil_election_announce: datetime = get_datetime(self.elecion_cycle.highcouncil_election_announce)
-        self.highcouncil_election_start: datetime = get_datetime(self.elecion_cycle.highcouncil_election_start)
-        self.highcouncil_election_end: datetime = get_datetime(self.elecion_cycle.highcouncil_election_end)
+        self.election_cycle = self.config.election_cycles[self.cycle]
+        self.election_start: datetime = get_datetime(self.election_cycle.election_start)
+        self.term_start: datetime = get_datetime(self.election_cycle.term_start)
+        self.term_end: datetime = get_datetime(self.election_cycle.term_end)
+        self.voting_start: datetime = get_datetime(self.election_cycle.voting_start)
+        self.voting_end: datetime = get_datetime(self.election_cycle.voting_end)
+        self.highcouncil_election_announce: datetime = get_datetime(self.election_cycle.highcouncil_election_announce)
+        self.highcouncil_election_start: datetime = get_datetime(self.election_cycle.highcouncil_election_start)
+        self.highcouncil_election_end: datetime = get_datetime(self.election_cycle.highcouncil_election_end)
         self.guild: nextcord.Guild = guild
         self.election_over: bool = False
 
@@ -122,7 +125,6 @@ class ElectionCycle:
 
             return message.format(
                 clan_member_id=self.config.params.clan_member_role_id,
-                voting_emote_id=self.config.params.voting_emote_id,
                 voting_end=vote_end.strftime("%B %d"),
                 voting_end_day=vote_end.strftime("%A"),
             )
@@ -151,12 +153,12 @@ class ElectionCycle:
         """
         # create new channel for election
         category: nextcord.CategoryChannel = self.guild.get_channel(self.config.params.active_category_id)
-        quarter_name: str = self.get_election_cycle_name()
+        quarter_name: str = get_election_cycle_name(self.config)
 
         # create new entry into database.
         election_channel: nextcord.TextChannel = await category.create_text_channel(quarter_name)
         clan_member_role: nextcord.Role = self.guild.get_role(self.config.params.clan_member_role_id)
-        await election_channel.set_permissions(clan_member_role, send_messages=True, add_reactions=True)
+        await election_channel.set_permissions(clan_member_role, add_reactions=True)
         with Session(engine) as session:
             new_cycle = ElectionInformation(ElectionCycle=quarter_name, ElectionChannel=election_channel.id)
             session.add(new_cycle)
@@ -166,29 +168,74 @@ class ElectionCycle:
         # election start message is returned as an array of string because it is too long. send each string
         # individually.
         messages = self.build_election_announcement()
-        for message in messages:
-            await election_channel.send(message)
+        for index, message in enumerate(messages):
+            # if last item, add the nominate button
+            if index + 1 == len(messages):
+                await election_channel.send(message, view=NominateView(self.config))
+            else:
+                await election_channel.send(message)
 
     async def voting_start_action(self) -> None:
         """
         Sends message informing members that voting has started.
         Removes write permission from the general clan member role.
-        Adds the voting emote to all messages not sent by the vote. (This is temporary until voting is managed.)
         """
         message = self.build_vote_start()
         clan_member_role: nextcord.Role = self.guild.get_role(self.config.params.clan_member_role_id)
         election_channel: nextcord.TextChannel = self.guild.get_channel(self.get_election_info().ElectionChannel)
         await election_channel.send(message)
+        vote_msg = await election_channel.send(build_votes_str(self.config), view=VoteView(self.config, self.guild))
+
+        with Session(engine) as session:
+            stmt = select(ElectionInformation).where(
+                ElectionInformation.ElectionCycle == get_election_cycle_name(self.config)
+            )
+            info = session.scalar(stmt)
+            info.CouncilVoteMsgId = vote_msg.id
+            session.commit()
+
         await election_channel.set_permissions(clan_member_role, send_messages=False)
 
     async def voting_end_action(self) -> None:
         """
         Performs required actions for when voting time has ended.
         """
+
         message = self.build_highcouncil_election_announce()
         council_elect_role: nextcord.Role = self.guild.get_role(self.config.params.clan_council_elect_role_id)
         election_channel: nextcord.TextChannel = self.guild.get_channel(self.get_election_info().ElectionChannel)
         clan_member_role: nextcord.Role = self.guild.get_role(self.config.params.clan_member_role_id)
+
+        # remove vote button from vote message
+        election_name = get_election_cycle_name(self.config)
+        with Session(engine) as session:
+            stmt = select(ElectionInformation.CouncilVoteMsgId).where(
+                ElectionInformation.ElectionCycle == election_name
+            )
+            vote_msg_id = session.scalar(stmt)
+        vote_msg: nextcord.Message = await election_channel.fetch_message(vote_msg_id)
+        await vote_msg.edit(view=None)
+
+        # add the highcouncil role to everyone with 3 or more votes. set elected to true in database
+        with Session(engine) as session:
+            stmt = select(Votes.VotedForId).where(Votes.ElectionCycle == election_name)
+            vote_count = collections.Counter(session.scalars(stmt))
+
+            for user_id, votes in vote_count.items():
+                if votes >= 3:
+                    stmt = (
+                        select(CouncilMembers)
+                        .where(CouncilMembers.ElectionCycle == election_name)
+                        .where(CouncilMembers.MemberId == user_id)
+                    )
+                    council_member = session.scalar(stmt)
+                    council_member.Elected = True
+                    session.commit()
+
+                    user: nextcord.Member = self.guild.get_member(user_id)
+
+                    await user.add_roles(council_elect_role)
+
         await election_channel.send(message)
         await election_channel.set_permissions(council_elect_role, send_messages=True, add_reactions=True)
         await election_channel.set_permissions(clan_member_role, add_reactions=False)
@@ -213,16 +260,6 @@ class ElectionCycle:
 
         await election_channel.move(beginning=True, category=archive)
 
-    def get_election_cycle_name(self) -> str:
-        """
-        Builds the unique name of the current election cycle
-
-        Returns:
-            str: the name of the election cycle
-        """
-
-        return f"vote-{self.election_start.year}-{self.elecion_cycle.name}"
-
     def get_election_info(self) -> ElectionInformation:
         """
         Gets information for current election.
@@ -233,6 +270,6 @@ class ElectionCycle:
 
         with Session(engine) as session:
             stmt = select(ElectionInformation).where(
-                ElectionInformation.ElectionCycle == self.get_election_cycle_name()
+                ElectionInformation.ElectionCycle == get_election_cycle_name(self.config)
             )
             return session.scalar(stmt)
diff --git a/classes/nominate_views.py b/classes/nominate_views.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b66075f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/classes/nominate_views.py
@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+"""
+Contains various views to be used in the nomination process.
+"""
+
+import nextcord
+from nextcord.interactions import Interaction
+from sqlalchemy import select
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+
+from config import DakinyConfig
+from database_setup.sql_data_classes import CouncilMembers, engine
+from utils import get_election_cycle_name
+
+NOMINEE_SPLITTER = "========================================================\n\n"
+
+
+class NominateModal(nextcord.ui.Modal):
+    """
+    Modal for nominating oneself. User writes a speech and then the callback sends the speech into the correct channel.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, config: DakinyConfig, usr_id: int, usr_nominated: bool, speech_content: str):
+        super().__init__(
+            "Nomination",
+            timeout=5 * 60,  # 5 minutes
+        )
+        self.usr_id: int = usr_id
+        self.config: DakinyConfig = config
+        self.usr_nominated = usr_nominated
+
+        self.speech = nextcord.ui.TextInput(
+            label="Nomination Speech",
+            style=nextcord.TextInputStyle.paragraph,
+            placeholder="Please write your speech here.",
+            required=True,
+            max_length=1500,
+            default_value=speech_content,
+        )
+        self.add_item(self.speech)
+
+    async def callback(self, interaction: Interaction) -> None:
+        """
+        Sends the nomination speech into the voting channel and enters the user into the voting database.
+
+        Args:
+            interaction (Interaction): Interaction with user.
+
+        """
+
+        speech = decorate_nomination(interaction.user.id, self.speech.value)
+
+        with Session(engine) as session:
+            if not self.usr_nominated:
+                msg = await interaction.channel.send(speech)
+
+                council_member = CouncilMembers(
+                    ElectionCycle=get_election_cycle_name(self.config),
+                    MemberId=interaction.user.id,
+                    SpeechMsgId=msg.id,
+                )
+                session.add(council_member)
+                session.commit()
+            else:
+                # user already nominated, just need to update the election speech
+                cycle = get_election_cycle_name(self.config)
+                stmt = (
+                    select(CouncilMembers)
+                    .where(CouncilMembers.ElectionCycle == cycle)
+                    .where(CouncilMembers.MemberId == self.usr_id)
+                )
+                obj = session.scalar(stmt)
+                obj.SpeechMsgContents = self.speech.value
+
+                msg: nextcord.Message = await interaction.channel.fetch_message(obj.SpeechMsgId)
+                await msg.edit(content=decorate_nomination(interaction.user.id, self.speech.value))
+
+
+class NominateView(nextcord.ui.View):
+    """
+    The button to press to start your nomination.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, config):
+        super().__init__(timeout=None)
+        self.config: DakinyConfig = config
+
+    @nextcord.ui.button(label="Nominate Yourself", style=nextcord.ButtonStyle.primary, custom_id="nominate")
+    async def nominate(self, button: nextcord.ui.Button, interaction: nextcord.Interaction) -> None:
+        """
+        Gathers previous information about the user if they have already nominated themselves, then launches
+        the nomination modal to get their speech.
+
+        Args:
+            button (nextcord.ui.Button): Unused. idk why its needed in the decorator
+            interaction (nextcord.Interaction): Interaction of user who pressed the button
+        """
+
+        cycle = get_election_cycle_name(self.config)
+        usr_nominated = False
+        speech_content = ""
+        with Session(engine) as session:
+            stmt = (
+                select(CouncilMembers)
+                .where(CouncilMembers.ElectionCycle == cycle)
+                .where(CouncilMembers.MemberId == interaction.user.id)
+            )
+            obj = session.scalar(stmt)
+            if obj is not None:
+                usr_nominated = True
+                msg = await interaction.channel.fetch_message(obj.SpeechMsgId)
+                speech_content = msg.content.split(NOMINEE_SPLITTER)[1]
+
+        await interaction.response.send_modal(
+            NominateModal(self.config, interaction.user.id, usr_nominated, speech_content)
+        )
+
+
+def decorate_nomination(user_id, speech) -> str:
+    """
+    Decorates a nomination speech so that it sits within multiple speeches better.
+
+    Args:
+        user_id (_type_): ID of user sending the speech
+        speech (_type_): Speech from the user
+
+    Returns:
+        str: Decorated speech
+    """
+    msg = f"**Clan Council Nominee: <@{user_id}>**\n"
+    msg += NOMINEE_SPLITTER
+    msg += speech
+
+    return msg
diff --git a/classes/voting_views.py b/classes/voting_views.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6444554
--- /dev/null
+++ b/classes/voting_views.py
@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+"""
+Contains various views to be used while voting. Controls the logic when performing the vote.
+"""
+
+from typing import List
+
+import nextcord
+from nextcord import SelectOption
+from nextcord.interactions import Interaction
+from sqlalchemy import exc, select
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+
+from config import DakinyConfig
+from database_setup.sql_data_classes import CouncilMembers, ElectionInformation, Votes, engine
+from utils import build_votes_str, get_election_cycle_name
+
+
+class VoteSelect(nextcord.ui.StringSelect):
+    def __init__(self, options: List["SelectOption"], config: DakinyConfig) -> None:
+        super().__init__(
+            placeholder="Choose 1",
+            min_values=1,
+            max_values=1,
+            options=options,
+        )
+        self.config = config
+
+    async def callback(self, interaction: Interaction):
+        election_name = get_election_cycle_name(self.config)
+        with Session(engine) as session:
+            stmt = select(ElectionInformation.CouncilVoteMsgId).where(
+                ElectionInformation.ElectionCycle == election_name
+            )
+            vote_msg_id = session.scalar(stmt)
+
+            if self.values[0] == "Abstain":
+                voted_for = None
+            else:
+                voted_for = int(self.values[0])
+
+            new_vote = Votes(ElectionCycle=election_name, VoterId=interaction.user.id, VotedForId=voted_for)
+
+            try:
+                session.add(new_vote)
+                session.commit()
+
+            except exc.IntegrityError:
+                session.rollback()
+                stmt = (
+                    select(Votes)
+                    .where(Votes.ElectionCycle == election_name)
+                    .where(Votes.VoterId == interaction.user.id)
+                )
+                vote = session.scalar(stmt)
+                vote.VotedForId = voted_for
+                session.commit()
+
+        vote_message_str = build_votes_str(self.config)
+        vote_msg: nextcord.Message = await interaction.channel.fetch_message(vote_msg_id)
+        await vote_msg.edit(content=vote_message_str)
+
+        if voted_for is not None:
+            msg = f"You have voted for <@{voted_for}>"
+        else:
+            msg = "You have abstained from voting."
+
+        await interaction.edit(content=msg, view=None)
+
+
+class VoteView(nextcord.ui.View):
+    """
+    The button to press to start your nomination.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, config: DakinyConfig, guild: nextcord.Guild):
+        super().__init__(timeout=None)
+        self.config = config
+        self.guild = guild
+
+    @nextcord.ui.button(label="Vote", style=nextcord.ButtonStyle.primary, custom_id="vote")
+    async def vote(self, button: nextcord.ui.Button, interaction: nextcord.Interaction) -> None:
+        """
+        TODO
+
+        Args:
+            button (nextcord.ui.Button): Unused. idk why its needed in the decorator
+            interaction (nextcord.Interaction): Interaction of user who pressed the button
+        """
+
+        # enforce members only
+        if self.guild.get_role(self.config.params.clan_member_role_id) not in interaction.user.roles:
+            await interaction.response.send_message(
+                f"You must have the <@&{self.config.params.clan_member_role_id}> role to vote.", ephemeral=True
+            )
+            return
+
+        election: str = get_election_cycle_name(self.config)
+
+        with Session(engine) as session:
+            stmt = (
+                select(Votes.VotedForId)
+                .where(Votes.ElectionCycle == election)
+                .where(Votes.VoterId == interaction.user.id)
+            )
+            voted_for = session.scalar(stmt)
+
+            stmt = select(CouncilMembers.MemberId).where(CouncilMembers.ElectionCycle == election)
+
+            options = [
+                SelectOption(
+                    label=f"{self.guild.get_member(nominee).nick} ☑️"
+                    if voted_for == nominee
+                    else f"{self.guild.get_member(nominee).nick}",
+                    value=str(nominee),
+                )
+                for nominee in session.scalars(stmt)
+            ]
+            options.append(SelectOption(label="Abstain ☑️" if voted_for is None else "Abstain", value="Abstain"))
+
+        view = nextcord.ui.View()
+        view.add_item(VoteSelect(options=options, config=self.config))
+
+        await interaction.response.send_message(
+            content="Please vote for a clan member!",
+            view=view,
+            ephemeral=True,
+        )
diff --git a/cogs/commands/test.py b/cogs/commands/test.py
index 948a331..6b3a863 100644
--- a/cogs/commands/test.py
+++ b/cogs/commands/test.py
@@ -3,9 +3,11 @@ Commands for testing.
 """
 
 import nextcord
-from nextcord.ext import commands
+from nextcord.ext import application_checks, commands
 
 from classes.election_cycle import ElectionCycle
+from config import DakinyConfig
+from utils import get_current_cycle
 
 
 class TestCog(commands.Cog, name="Test commands."):
@@ -19,7 +21,14 @@ class TestCog(commands.Cog, name="Test commands."):
         """
         self.bot = bot
 
+    def is_me():
+        def predicate(interaction: nextcord.Interaction):
+            return interaction.user.id == 206602713511886849
+
+        return application_checks.check(predicate)
+
     @nextcord.slash_command()
+    @is_me()
     async def test(self, interaction: nextcord.Interaction):
         """
         Parent slash command for help. Never called.
@@ -51,7 +60,8 @@ class TestCog(commands.Cog, name="Test commands."):
             interaction (nextcord.Interaction): _description_
         """
 
-        cycle = ElectionCycle(0, self.bot)
+        config: DakinyConfig = self.bot.config
+        cycle = ElectionCycle(get_current_cycle(config), config, self.bot.get_guild(config.params.guild_id))
         await cycle.election_start_action()
 
     @test.subcommand()
@@ -62,5 +72,18 @@ class TestCog(commands.Cog, name="Test commands."):
         Args:
             interaction (nextcord.Interaction): _description_
         """
-        cycle = ElectionCycle(0, self.bot)
+        config: DakinyConfig = self.bot.config
+        cycle = ElectionCycle(get_current_cycle(config), config, self.bot.get_guild(config.params.guild_id))
         await cycle.voting_start_action()
+
+    @test.subcommand()
+    async def voting_end(self, interaction: nextcord.Interaction):
+        """
+        tests the voting start action
+
+        Args:
+            interaction (nextcord.Interaction): _description_
+        """
+        config: DakinyConfig = self.bot.config
+        cycle = ElectionCycle(get_current_cycle(config), config, self.bot.get_guild(config.params.guild_id))
+        await cycle.voting_end_action()
diff --git a/cogs/loops/daily_loop.py b/cogs/loops/daily_loop.py
index 30ed4f7..ffb8caf 100644
--- a/cogs/loops/daily_loop.py
+++ b/cogs/loops/daily_loop.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ from classes.election_cycle import ElectionCycle
 from config import DakinyConfig
 from dakiny_bot import birthday_list
 from database_setup.sql_data_classes import UserBirthday, engine
-from utils import get_datetime
+from utils import get_current_cycle
 
 
 class DailyLoop(commands.Cog, name="Daily Loop"):
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ class DailyLoop(commands.Cog, name="Daily Loop"):
         """
 
         if self.current_election is None:
-            self.current_election = self.get_current_cycle()
+            self.current_election = self.get_election_cycle()
 
         if self.current_election is not None:
             await self.current_election.check_date()
@@ -65,9 +65,9 @@ class DailyLoop(commands.Cog, name="Daily Loop"):
         await self.bot.wait_until_ready()
 
         # Bot needs to know guilds to get the current cycle.
-        self.current_election = self.get_current_cycle()
+        self.current_election = self.get_election_cycle()
 
-    def get_current_cycle(self) -> ElectionCycle:
+    def get_election_cycle(self) -> ElectionCycle:
         """
         Creates an object for the current election cycle if one is active. An election is considered active
         between the election start and the term start.
@@ -76,18 +76,10 @@ class DailyLoop(commands.Cog, name="Daily Loop"):
             ElectionCycle: Current election cycle, None if there is no election happening.
         """
 
-        today = datetime.today()
         config: DakinyConfig = self.bot.config
-        current_election = None
+        cycle = get_current_cycle(config)
 
-        for cycle, election in enumerate(config.election_cycles):
-            if (
-                today.date() >= get_datetime(election.election_start).date()
-                and today.date() <= get_datetime(election.term_start).date()
-            ):
-                current_election = ElectionCycle(cycle, config, self.bot.get_guild(config.params.guild_id))
-
-        return current_election
+        return ElectionCycle(cycle, config, self.bot.get_guild(config.params.guild_id))
 
     def update_birthdays(self) -> None:
         """
diff --git a/config.py b/config.py
index 084c72e..1dfc500 100644
--- a/config.py
+++ b/config.py
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ class Params:
     general_channel_id: int
     guild_id: int
     high_council_role_id: int
-    voting_emote_id: str
 
 
 @dataclass
diff --git a/dakiny_bot.py b/dakiny_bot.py
index 076cd15..0c0cc53 100644
--- a/dakiny_bot.py
+++ b/dakiny_bot.py
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ from hydra.core.config_store import ConfigStore
 from nextcord.ext import commands
 
 import database_setup.create_database as create_database
+from classes.nominate_views import NominateView
+from classes.voting_views import VoteView
 from config import DakinyConfig
 
 cs = ConfigStore.instance()
@@ -49,6 +51,8 @@ def main(cfg: DakinyConfig):
         """When Discord is connected"""
         assert bot.user is not None
         create_database  # pylint: disable=pointless-statement
+        bot.add_view(NominateView(cfg))
+        bot.add_view(VoteView(cfg, bot.get_guild(cfg.params.guild_id)))
         print(f"{bot.user.name} has connected to Discord!")
 
     # Run Discord bot
diff --git a/database_setup/database.sql b/database_setup/database.sql
index 9271b25..299e621 100644
--- a/database_setup/database.sql
+++ b/database_setup/database.sql
@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
 CREATE TABLE ElectionInformation(
     ElectionCycle varchar(30) not null unique,
     ElectionChannel bigint unsigned not null,
+    CouncilVoteMsgId bigint unsigned,
     PRIMARY KEY (ElectionCycle)
 );
 
 CREATE TABLE CouncilMembers(
-    ElectionCycle varchar(30) not null unique,
+    ElectionCycle varchar(30) not null,
     MemberId bigint unsigned not null,
+    SpeechMsgId bigint unsigned  not null,
     Elected boolean DEFAULT false,
     HighCouncilElect boolean DEFAULT false,
     DiscordManager boolean DEFAULT false,
@@ -16,9 +18,9 @@ CREATE TABLE CouncilMembers(
 );
 
 CREATE TABLE Votes(
-    ElectionCycle varchar(30) not null unique,
+    ElectionCycle varchar(30) not null,
     VoterId bigint unsigned not null,
-    VotedForId bigint unsigned not null,
+    VotedForId bigint unsigned,
     FOREIGN KEY (ElectionCycle) REFERENCES ElectionInformation(ElectionCycle),
     PRIMARY KEY (ElectionCycle, VoterId)
 );
diff --git a/utils.py b/utils.py
index b0f0d92..8f2774b 100644
--- a/utils.py
+++ b/utils.py
@@ -4,6 +4,12 @@ File contains util functions.
 
 from datetime import datetime
 
+from sqlalchemy import select
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+
+from config import DakinyConfig
+from database_setup.sql_data_classes import CouncilMembers, Votes, engine
+
 
 def get_datetime(day: str) -> datetime:
     """
@@ -24,3 +30,74 @@ def get_datetime(day: str) -> datetime:
         year += 1
 
     return datetime(year, month, day)
+
+
+def get_election_cycle_name(config: DakinyConfig) -> str:
+    """
+    Builds the unique name of the current election cycle
+
+    Returns:
+        str: the name of the election cycle
+    """
+    cycle = get_current_cycle(config)
+    current_cycle = config.election_cycles[cycle]
+
+    return f"vote-{get_datetime(current_cycle.election_start).year}-{current_cycle.name}"
+
+
+def get_current_cycle(config: DakinyConfig) -> int:
+    """
+    Returns index for active election. An election is considered active between the election start and the term start.
+
+    Args:
+        config (DakinyConfig): Config object to use
+
+    Returns:
+        int: cycle index for active election. -1 for no active cycle
+    """
+
+    today = datetime.today()
+
+    for cycle, election in enumerate(config.election_cycles):
+        if (
+            today.date() >= get_datetime(election.election_start).date()
+            and today.date() <= get_datetime(election.term_start).date()
+        ):
+            return cycle
+
+    return -1
+
+
+def build_votes_str(config: DakinyConfig) -> str:
+    """
+    Creates a string that contains all nominees and their votes to be sent as a discord message.
+
+    Args:
+        config (DakinyConfig): Daking config object
+
+    Returns:
+        str: String that contains all nominees and their votes.
+    """
+
+    votes: dict[int, int] = {}
+
+    with Session(engine) as session:
+        stmt = select(CouncilMembers).where(CouncilMembers.ElectionCycle == get_election_cycle_name(config))
+
+        for nominee in session.scalars(stmt):
+            votes[nominee.MemberId] = 0
+
+        stmt = select(Votes).where(Votes.ElectionCycle == get_election_cycle_name(config))
+
+        for vote in session.scalars(stmt):
+            if vote.VotedForId is not None:
+                votes[vote.VotedForId] += 1
+
+    votes_str: str = "===================="
+    for user_id, num_votes in votes.items():
+        votes_str += f"\n<@{user_id}>: "
+
+        for num in range(num_votes):
+            votes_str += "☑️"
+
+    return votes_str