diff --git a/classes/election_cycle.py b/classes/election_cycle.py
index 461ebd2..6b3dc89 100644
--- a/classes/election_cycle.py
+++ b/classes/election_cycle.py
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ class ElectionCycle:
 
     async def check_date(self) -> None:
         """Function checks current date to see if something needs to be run."""
-        today = datetime.now(tz=UTC).date()
+        today = datetime.now(tz=UTC)
 
         # check all dates if action is needed
         if today.date() == self.election_start.date():
diff --git a/cogs/commands/set.py b/cogs/commands/set.py
index 01c35ed..2165241 100644
--- a/cogs/commands/set.py
+++ b/cogs/commands/set.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ class SetCog(commands.Cog, name="Set Commands"):
                 return
 
         # check if valid day
-        today = datetime.now(tz=UTC).date()
+        today = datetime.now(tz=UTC)
         try:
             birthday = datetime(today.year, month, day, tzinfo=UTC)
         except ValueError:
diff --git a/cogs/commands/test.py b/cogs/commands/test.py
index bc13e73..1e93b1e 100644
--- a/cogs/commands/test.py
+++ b/cogs/commands/test.py
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 import nextcord
 from nextcord.ext import application_checks, commands
-from nextcord.ext.application_checks.core import AC
 
 from classes.election_cycle import ElectionCycle
 from utils import get_current_election_cycle
@@ -17,7 +16,7 @@ ME = 206602713511886849
 GUILDS = [1000247361639030804]
 
 
-def is_me() -> AC:
+def is_me():  # noqa: ANN201
     """Predicate that makes sure only I can run the test commands."""
 
     def predicate(interaction: nextcord.Interaction) -> bool:
@@ -53,7 +52,7 @@ class TestCog(commands.Cog, name="Test commands."):
             self.bot.get_guild(config.params.guild_id),
         )
         await cycle.election_start_action()
-        await interaction.send("Test command sent.")
+        await interaction.send("Test command sent.", ephemeral=True)
 
     @test.subcommand()
     @is_me()
@@ -71,7 +70,7 @@ class TestCog(commands.Cog, name="Test commands."):
             self.bot.get_guild(config.params.guild_id),
         )
         await cycle.voting_start_action()
-        await interaction.send("Test command sent.")
+        await interaction.send("Test command sent.", ephemeral=True)
 
     @test.subcommand()
     @is_me()
@@ -89,7 +88,7 @@ class TestCog(commands.Cog, name="Test commands."):
             self.bot.get_guild(config.params.guild_id),
         )
         await cycle.voting_end_action()
-        await interaction.send("Test command sent.")
+        await interaction.send("Test command sent.", ephemeral=True)
 
     @test.subcommand()
     @is_me()
@@ -107,7 +106,7 @@ class TestCog(commands.Cog, name="Test commands."):
             self.bot.get_guild(config.params.guild_id),
         )
         await cycle.highcouncil_election_start_action()
-        await interaction.send("Test command sent.")
+        await interaction.send("Test command sent.", ephemeral=True)
 
     @test.subcommand()
     @is_me()
@@ -125,7 +124,7 @@ class TestCog(commands.Cog, name="Test commands."):
             self.bot.get_guild(config.params.guild_id),
         )
         await cycle.election_reminder()
-        await interaction.send("Test command sent.")
+        await interaction.send("Test command sent.", ephemeral=True)
 
     @test.subcommand()
     @is_me()
@@ -143,7 +142,7 @@ class TestCog(commands.Cog, name="Test commands."):
             self.bot.get_guild(config.params.guild_id),
         )
         await cycle.check_date()
-        await interaction.send("Test command sent.")
+        await interaction.send("Test command sent.", ephemeral=True)
 
     @test.subcommand()
     @is_me()
@@ -161,4 +160,4 @@ class TestCog(commands.Cog, name="Test commands."):
             self.bot.get_guild(config.params.guild_id),
         )
         await cycle.term_start_action()
-        await interaction.send("Test command sent.")
+        await interaction.send("Test command sent.", ephemeral=True)
diff --git a/utils.py b/utils.py
index 9ad7d76..13e17e9 100644
--- a/utils.py
+++ b/utils.py
@@ -47,10 +47,12 @@ def get_datetime(day: str) -> datetime:
     day = int(day.split("/")[1])
 
     # ensure that year rolls over if current month is December and the next month is less than 12.
-    if today.month == calendar.DECEMBER and month < calendar.DECEMBER:
+    # TODO(imcompiling): replace with Calendar.DECEMBER when updating to python 3.12
+    # https://gitea.cheezers.org/imcompiling/dakiny-bot/issues/52
+    if today.month == 12 and month < 12:
         year += 1
 
-    if today.month == calendar.JANUARY and month > calendar.JANUARY:
+    if today.month == 1 and month > 1:
         year -= 1
 
     return datetime(year, month, day, tzinfo=UTC)
@@ -97,7 +99,7 @@ def get_current_election_cycle(config: DakinyConfig) -> int:
     Returns:
         int: cycle index for active election. None for no active cycle
     """
-    today = datetime.now(tz=UTC).date()
+    today = datetime.now(tz=UTC)
 
     for cycle, election in enumerate(config.election_cycles):
         if (
@@ -120,7 +122,7 @@ def get_quarter_cycle(config: DakinyConfig) -> int:
     Returns:
         int: cycle index for current cycle.
     """
-    today = datetime.now(tz=UTC).date()
+    today = datetime.now(tz=UTC)
     for cycle, election in enumerate(config.election_cycles):
         if (
             today.date() >= get_datetime(election.term_start).date()