It's deadline day for Alberta's United Conservative Party leadership race

Alberta's United Conservative Party has confirmed three candidates for its leadership race as the clock ticks down on the deadline for applications.

Travis Toews, Danielle Smith and Brian Jean have been confirmed as candidates ahead of Wednesday's deadline.

Toews stepped down as finance minister in late May in order to run while Jean is currently the UCP legislature member for Fort McMurray-Lac la Biche, and Smith is the former leader of Alberta's Wildrose party.

Rajan Sawhney, Rebecca Schulz, Todd Loewen and Leela Aheer say they have submitted the required number of signatures and are waiting to be confirmed as candidates.

Sawhney and Schulz both stepped out of Premier Jason Kenney's cabinet to run, while Aheer is in the UCP caucus and Loewen is a party member but sits in the house as an Independent.

Two other candidates one-time legislature member Raj Sherman and former investment banker Jon Horsman were scrambling to get the required minimum 1,000 signatures from supporters.

Horsman announced Wednesday afternoon he was dropping out.

The cutoff was5 p.m. Wednesdayfor applicants to submit a package of forms and consent documents along with at least 1,000 signatures from across Alberta and at least $75,000 towardthe entry fee and good behaviour deposit.

The party is to pick a replacement for Premier Jason Kenney, who announced in May that he was leaving the top job after receiving 51 per cent support in a party leadership review.

The result came after months of political turmoil within the UCP, which was created in 2017 when the Wildrose Party merged with the Progressive Conservative Party.

A new leader is set tobeelected on Oct. 6, following a vote by mail-in ballot.

Party members will also be able to vote in person at one of five polling stations that will be set up around the province.

The next provincial election is scheduled for May 29, 2023.