Postal voters urged to send back Priory Heath by-election votes promptly due to Royal Mail strikes

Published28th November 2022

Ipswich Borough Council residents with postal votes for the Priory Heath ward by-election on 15 December 2022 are being encouraged to return their completed voting pack as soon as possible to avoid these being caught up in planned Royal Mail strikes.

Postal voting packs are being sent out today (Monday 28 November 2022) with strikes by Royal Mail workers set for 30 November, 1, 9, 11, 14 and 15 December 2022. 

A spokesperson for Ipswich Borough Council, said:

“Due to the impending strike action, we strongly encourage people to return their postal votes as soon as possible. Legally, postal votes that arrive back to us after 10pm on polling day unfortunately won’t be able to be counted.

“It is certain that any votes posted on or after 13 December won’t reach the Council, and it is likely that there will also be delays to votes posted earlier than that because of the strikes on 9 and 11 December.

“Anyone who is concerned that their postal vote may not reach us before 15 December 2022 can instead drop their completed pack into the letter box at Grafton House, 15-17 Russell Road, at any time up until 10pm on polling day, or put in the drop-off box at Gainsborough Sports Centre reception between 28 November and 15 December during the Centre’s opening hours, 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday or 8.30am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

“Voters may also return their completed postal vote pack to our polling stations on polling day – 15 December – between 7am and 10pm.”

The polling stations open for Priory Heath by-election on Thursday 15 December are:

  • Hatfield Road Congregational Church, Hatfield Road, IP3 9AF
  • Nansen Road Baptist Church, Nansen Road, IP3 9HN
  • Gainsborough Sports Centre, 5 Braziers Wood Road, IP3 0SP
  • Inspire Suffolk, Lindbergh Road, IP3 9XQ

Voters needing more information should email: elections@ipswich.gov.uk or call the elections helpline on 01473 432000.