diff --git a/modpol/modules/consent.lua b/modpol/modules/consent.lua
index e0d0e7a..8c57765 100644
--- a/modpol/modules/consent.lua
+++ b/modpol/modules/consent.lua
@@ -30,6 +30,14 @@ function modpol.modules.consent:new_process(request_id, org_id)
     return process
 end
 
+-- =========================================
+-- function to delete a process, called when process finishes
+function modpol.modules.consent:delete()
+    local process_org = modpol.orgs.get_org(self.org_id)
+    process_org.processes[self.id] = "deleted"
+    modpol.ocutil.log('Deleted process #' .. self.id)
+end
+
 -- ======================================================
 -- function for users to vote on a pending request
 function modpol.modules.consent:approve(user, decision)
@@ -61,9 +69,11 @@ function modpol.modules.consent:update_status()
     if #self.votes_yes >= votes_needed then
         modpol.ocutil.log('Request #' .. self.request_id .. ' passes')
         process_org:resolve_request(self.request_id, true)
+        self:delete()
     elseif #self.votes_no >= votes_needed then
         modpol.ocutil.log('Request #' .. self.request_id .. ' fails to pass')
         process_org:resolve_request(self.request_id, false)
+        self:delete()
     else
         modpol.ocutil.log('Waiting for more votes...')
     end
diff --git a/modpol/orgs/requests.lua b/modpol/orgs/requests.lua
index 384b81a..9b405ba 100644
--- a/modpol/orgs/requests.lua
+++ b/modpol/orgs/requests.lua
@@ -25,14 +25,18 @@ function modpol.orgs:create_process(process_type, request_id)
         end
     end
 
+    local index
     -- attempts to fill empty spots in list, otherwise appends to end
     if empty_index then
         self.processes[empty_index] = new_process
-        return empty_index
+        index = empty_index
     else
         table.insert(self.processes, new_process)
-        return #self.processes
+        index = #self.processes
     end
+
+    new_process.id = index
+    return index
 end
 
 -- ===========================
@@ -169,12 +173,7 @@ function modpol.orgs:make_request(request)
         request_id = empty_index
     else
         table.insert(self.requests, request)
-        -- finds end of list to return current request's id
-        local count = 0
-        for k, v in ipairs(self.requests) do 
-            count = count + 1 
-        end
-        request_id = count
+        request_id = #self.requests
     end
     modpol.ocutil.log("Request made by " .. request.user .. " to " .. request.type)