A new United Conservative Party leader — and Alberta's next premier — to be announced tonight

Tonight, the United Conservative Party will announce its new leader and Alberta’s 19th premier. 

Nearly four months after the leadership contest began, one of seven contenders will emerge the victor.

Close to 124,000 people bought or renewed UCP memberships by the Aug. 12 deadline to qualify to cast a vote. Party members have been voting by mail since early September.

As of Monday night, about 82,000 members — 66 per cent of the total membership — had cast ballots, according to UCP sources familiar with the leadership race.

Members can vote in person this morning at five polling stations across the province.

The party says it will announce the