diff --git a/server/server.js b/server/server.js
index 4106ad9..75f3300 100644
--- a/server/server.js
+++ b/server/server.js
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ app.use(express.json());
 app.use(session({
   secret: process.env.SESSION_SECRET || 'your-secret-key-change-this',
   resave: false,
-  saveUninitialized: true,
+  saveUninitialized: false,
   rolling: true,
   cookie: {
     secure: process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production',
@@ -172,6 +172,7 @@ app.get('/debug/cookies', (req, res) => {
 // Vote submission endpoint
 app.post('/api/submit-vote', async (req, res) => {
   if (!req.isAuthenticated()) {
+    console.error('User not authenticated');
     return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Must be logged in to vote' });
   }