The INTO conference in Tralee's Mount Brandon Hotel resembled a general election count centre yesterday, with teachers congregating in corridors to compare figures and exchange the latest predictions.
Elaborate tots were done on the back of envelopes, leaflets and even exercise books, with maths teachers in particular giving a helping hand.
While the conference debated worthy issues such as school funding, learning difficulties and educational disadvantage, the various campaign teams kept slipping outside for updates.
The counting of votes begins this morning, in private, at a local youth centre, so teachers spent yesterday digesting turnout figures. All eyes are on Mr John Carr, currently general treasurer and Ms Catherine Byrne, assistant general secretary, who are regarded as front-runners in the race to be the union's next general secretary. Both have travelled the country extensively in the last few months to woo voters.
Over 17,200 primary teachers have voted in the race, a figure which would easily get most politicians elected to the Dail. The winner will immediately become a serious power broker in the education community, as head of the largest teachers' union and successor to the gregarious Senator Joe O'Toole. The turnout figures mean the quota for today's election will be over 8,600. Mr Carr is expected to poll strongly, although he could face stiff competition from Ms Byrne when candidates are eliminated and transfers allocated.
The turnout figures show that 2,362 voted in INTO districts one and two, both situated in Northern Ireland. The lion's share of this vote should go to Mr Carr and will give him a good start, although the turnout in these areas was poor, especially in places like Belfast.
Mr Carr is also likely to benefit from the relatively high turnouts in north Dublin branches. He once taught in Clontarf and his team regard this as his stamping-ground. Ms Byrne is still expected to pick up a lot of votes in other parts of Dublin.
The turnout of 60 per cent was described as respectable by union sources, although some expected it to be higher because it was a postal ballot.
Last night, union members were slow to predict an outright winner, with most simply stating that Mr Carr and Ms Byrne were out in front.
Ms Sheila Nunan and Ms Brenda Ni Shuilleabhain are expected to be eliminated early on, followed by either Mr Noel Ward or Mr Tom O'Sullivan. Their transfers will be vital, if one of the two leading candidates has not already reached the quota.
Results are expected at about lunchtime, but if the race is tight, counting could continue throughout the evening.