Alberta's Wildrose Opposition is to reveal the name of its new leader today, but at least one political scientist is suggesting a new face might not help a party decimated just four months ago by a mass exodus.

The party was reduced to a five-seat rump in December when leader Danielle Smith and eight caucus members crossed the floor to join the Progressive Conservative government. Two other Wildrosers had already crossed and one had left to sit as an Independent.

Also today, Smith will face a PC nomination meeting in her constituency of Highwood.

There are three candidates looking to lead the Wildrose into the next election.

Former federal Conservative MP Brian Jean represented a northern Alberta riding in the House of Commons between 2004 and 2014. The 52-year-old lawyer has indicated he wants to clean up an under-performing health-care system in Alberta and deal with fiscal mismanagement by the governing Tories.

The other candidates are current Wildrose member Drew Barnes and former Strathcona County mayor Linda Osinchuk.

Longtime legislature member Heather Forsyth has been acting as interim leader and said she has noticed renewed party vigour recently.

"When I took over being leader we were at the low as low can be. You can't be further down than we were, and so it's been a rebuilding process. I don't regret it," said Forsyth, who will not be running in the next provincial election.

"I've noticed an incredible change in the last three to six weeks. People are once again realizing they didn't destroy us. We are still loud and mighty and Albertans want us to succeed."

A Calgary political scientist predicts Jean will probably win, but David Taras doubts a new leader will make much of a difference with the voting public.

"The downside is the vast majority of Albertans couldn't pick him out of a lineup and his views are too far to the right for most Albertans," said Taras from Mount Royal University.

"The party is in disarray and has very little time to get its house in order. But at least they will finally have a leader."

All three candidates met the requirements of obtaining 250 signatures and providing a $20,000 non-refundable entry fee.

The 25,000 members of the party have been voting by telephone ballot for the last 13 days.

"I'm quite happy with how things have gone. It's been a bit of a sprint ... as we've had a short time frame to pull off an entire leadership race," said party president Jeff Callaway.

"I think, given the circumstances, everyone has performed very well."

The leadership date was originally set for June 6, but the Wildrose moved it up because of speculation that Premier Jim Prentice is about to call an early provincial election.

"Hindsight is 20-20. You make the best decision that you can at the time and you move with it moving forward. You make adjustments as you deem necessary and drive on," Callaway said.