diff --git a/classes/election_cycle.py b/classes/election_cycle.py
index 854a86a..36514dd 100644
--- a/classes/election_cycle.py
+++ b/classes/election_cycle.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from datetime import datetime, timedelta
 
 import nextcord
 from nextcord.ext import commands
+from sqlalchemy import select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 
 from config import DakinyConfig
@@ -19,7 +20,7 @@ class ElectionCycle:
     the cycle.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, cycle: int, bot) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, cycle: int, bot: commands.Bot) -> None:
         """
         Generates all dates relevant to the election cycle from input election start, term start and end dates.
 
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ class ElectionCycle:
         self.highcouncil_election_announce: datetime = self.voting_end + timedelta(days=1)
         self.highcouncil_election_start: datetime = self.highcouncil_election_announce + timedelta(days=3)
         self.highcouncil_election_end: datetime = self.term_start - timedelta(days=1)
-        self.bot: commands.Bot = bot
+        self.guild: nextcord.Guild = bot.get_guild(self.config.params.guild_id)
 
     def build_election_announcement(self) -> list[str]:
         """
@@ -127,7 +128,7 @@ class ElectionCycle:
         Performs required actions for when the election cycle starts.
         """
         # create new channel for election
-        category: nextcord.CategoryChannel = self.bot.get_channel(self.config.params.active_category_id)
+        category: nextcord.CategoryChannel = self.guild.get_channel(self.config.params.active_category_id)
         quarter_name: str = self.get_election_cycle_name()
 
         # create new entry into database.
@@ -146,41 +147,40 @@ class ElectionCycle:
 
     async def voting_start_action(self) -> None:
         """
-        Performs required actions for when voting for candidates starts.
+        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.)
         """
-        print("Voting has started")
-        await self.message_me("Voting has started")
+        message = self.build_vote_start()
+        clan_member_role: nextcord.Role = self.guild.get_role(self.config.params.clan_member_role_id)
+        with Session(engine) as session:
+            stmt = select(ElectionInformation).where(
+                ElectionInformation.ElectionCycle == self.get_election_cycle_name()
+            )
+            election_info = session.scalar(stmt)
+            election_channel = self.guild.get_channel(election_info.ElectionChannel)
+            await election_channel.send(message)
+            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.
         """
         print("voting has ended")
-        await self.message_me("voting has ended")
 
     async def highcouncil_election_action(self) -> None:
         """
         Performs required actions for when the highcouncil is elected.
         """
         print("Highcouncil election has started.")
-        await self.message_me("Highcouncil election has started.")
 
     async def term_start_action(self) -> None:
         msg: str = "the term has started"
         print(msg)
-        self.message_me(msg)
 
     async def term_end_action(self):
         msg: str = "the term has ended"
         print(msg)
-        self.message_me(msg)
-
-    async def message_me(self, msg: str):
-        """
-        message a string to me
-        """
-        imcompiling: nextcord.User = await self.bot.fetch_user(206602713511886849)
-        await imcompiling.send(msg)
 
     def get_election_cycle_name(self) -> str:
         """
diff --git a/cogs/commands/test.py b/cogs/commands/test.py
index 95bcbbc..948a331 100644
--- a/cogs/commands/test.py
+++ b/cogs/commands/test.py
@@ -53,3 +53,14 @@ class TestCog(commands.Cog, name="Test commands."):
 
         cycle = ElectionCycle(0, self.bot)
         await cycle.election_start_action()
+
+    @test.subcommand()
+    async def voting_start(self, interaction: nextcord.Interaction):
+        """
+        tests the voting start action
+
+        Args:
+            interaction (nextcord.Interaction): _description_
+        """
+        cycle = ElectionCycle(0, self.bot)
+        await cycle.voting_start_action()
diff --git a/config.py b/config.py
index 80c86f0..979ac75 100644
--- a/config.py
+++ b/config.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ class Params:
     clan_info_channel_id: int
     clan_member_role_id: int
     discord_token: str
+    guild_id: int
     high_council_role_id: int
     voting_emote_id: str
 
diff --git a/permissions_required.txt b/permissions_required.txt
index dc1e30b..bc1e455 100644
--- a/permissions_required.txt
+++ b/permissions_required.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 Discord permissions required for bot to operate:
 
-manage channels
\ No newline at end of file
+manage channels
+manage roles
\ No newline at end of file