diff --git a/bigchaindb/pipelines/election.py b/bigchaindb/pipelines/election.py
index 49d44709..7140761a 100644
--- a/bigchaindb/pipelines/election.py
+++ b/bigchaindb/pipelines/election.py
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ is specified in ``create_pipeline``.
 """
 import logging
 
-import rethinkdb as r
 from multipipes import Pipeline, Node
 
 from bigchaindb.pipelines.utils import ChangeFeed
@@ -31,9 +30,8 @@ class Election:
             next_vote: The next vote.
 
         """
-        next_block = self.bigchain.connection.run(
-                r.table('bigchain')
-                .get(next_vote['vote']['voting_for_block']))
+        next_block = self.bigchain.get_block(
+            next_vote['vote']['voting_for_block'])
 
         block_status = self.bigchain.block_election_status(next_block['id'],
                                                            next_block['block']['voters'])