diff --git a/dakiny_bot/classes/election.py b/dakiny_bot/classes/election.py
index c69aa73..76a078b 100644
--- a/dakiny_bot/classes/election.py
+++ b/dakiny_bot/classes/election.py
@@ -5,9 +5,6 @@ from datetime import UTC, datetime, timedelta
 from pathlib import Path
 
 import nextcord
-from sqlalchemy import select, true, update
-from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
-
 from dakiny_bot.classes.nominate_highcouncil_views import NominateHighCouncilView
 from dakiny_bot.classes.nominate_views import NominateView
 from dakiny_bot.classes.voting_highcouncil_views import VoteHighcouncilView
@@ -28,6 +25,8 @@ from dakiny_bot.utils import (
     get_datetime,
     get_election_name,
 )
+from sqlalchemy import select, true, update
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 
 REQUIRED_VOTES_TO_BE_ELECTED = 3
 
@@ -70,7 +69,7 @@ class Election:
             list[str]: A list of message contents in the correct order. Must be a string because the message is too
             long.
         """
-        with Path(f"{TEMPLATES_DIR}/election_announcement.txt", encoding="utf8").open() as file:
+        with Path(f"{TEMPLATES_DIR}/election_announcement.txt").open() as file:
             message = file.read()
 
             next_election = get_datetime(
@@ -98,7 +97,7 @@ class Election:
         Returns:
             str: Message to send.
         """
-        with Path(f"{TEMPLATES_DIR}/highcouncil_election.txt", encoding="utf8").open() as file:
+        with Path(f"{TEMPLATES_DIR}/highcouncil_election.txt").open() as file:
             message = file.read()
 
             return message.format(
@@ -116,7 +115,7 @@ class Election:
         Returns:
             str: Message to send.
         """
-        with Path(f"{TEMPLATES_DIR}/highcouncil_vote.txt", encoding="utf8").open() as file:
+        with Path(f"{TEMPLATES_DIR}/highcouncil_vote.txt").open() as file:
             message = file.read()
 
             return message.format(
@@ -131,7 +130,7 @@ class Election:
         Returns:
             str: Message to send
         """
-        with Path(f"{TEMPLATES_DIR}/vote_start.txt", encoding="utf8").open() as file:
+        with Path(f"{TEMPLATES_DIR}/vote_start.txt").open() as file:
             message = file.read()
             vote_end: datetime = get_datetime(settings.election_cycles[self.cycle].voting_end)