diff --git a/Show/views.py b/Show/views.py
index d8a5afb..e6e7a02 100644
--- a/Show/views.py
+++ b/Show/views.py
@@ -88,10 +88,8 @@ class SubmissionVoteSubmit(View):
         pos_bool = int(positive) == 1
 
         # Check for login status
-        if not req.session['user_id']:
-            r = HttpResponse('<h1>Error</h1><p>You need to be logged in to vote.  Please <a href=/login>log in</a></p>')
-            r.status = 400
-            return r
+        if not 'user_id' in req.session:
+            return HttpResponse('<h1>Error</h1><p>You need to be logged in to vote.  Please <a href=/login>log in</a></p>', status=400)
 
         user = User.objects.get(user_id=req.session['user_id'])
 
@@ -104,9 +102,7 @@ class SubmissionVoteSubmit(View):
 
         # Prevent voting for own submission
         if submission.user == user:
-            r = HttpResponse('<h1>Error</h1><p>You cannot vote for your own submission.</p>')
-            r.status = 400
-            return r
+            return HttpResponse('<h1>Error</h1><p>You cannot vote for your own submission.</p>', status=400)
 
         # Allow changing a vote from positive to negative or vice-versa. Delete vote if its a re-vote
         vote = submission.votes.filter(user=user,submission__id=submission.id).first()