Members of the Progressive Democrats had until to 5pm today to submit their votes for the party's leadership contest.
But the two candidates, Senators Fiona O'Malley and Ciaran Cannon, will not find out until Thursday which of them is to become the fourth leader of the party.
Michael McDowell resigned the leadership of the PDs after he lost his Dáil seat in last year's election disaster for the party.
Since then, Minister for Health Mary Harney has been acting leader, but has made no secret of her desire to hand over the reins to someone else.
Party members have to choose between Senator Cannon and Senator O'Malley, and their votes must be received by the party's auditors in Dublin this evening.
The four-strong parliamentary party has 40% of the vote, the National Executive and Councillors have 30%, and the 1,200 ordinary party members have the remaining 30%.
As a former TD and the daughter of the party founder, Senator O'Malley has a higher public profile, but party insiders say Senator Cannon has performed strongly at party election hustings.
The result will be announced on Thursday.
