AUGUSTA -- The final step in selecting delegates for presidential hopefuls U.S. Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton will take place this weekend when 3,000 Democrats meet for a convention at the Augusta Civic Center.

Going into the convention, Obama is set to get 15 delegates from Maine, and Clinton is supposed to get nine. But those numbers could change based on how many delegates from each camp come to the convention.

Those totals do not include Maine's eight superdelegates, some of whom have not yet publicly declared their allegiance.

On Friday, delegates and alternates stood in line waiting to check in for the convention. Cecile Casey, of Madawaska, who is attending her first convention, said she's most excited about showing her support for Clinton.

"I think she's the one to be elected and the one to move this country forward," she said. "She's got guts. Even against the odds."

The excitement among Democrats is heightened this year because of the ongoing presidential battle. Add to that a full slate of candidates vying to take the seat of U.S. Rep. Tom Allen -- and his race against Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins -- and it will be a busy weekend of politicking in the state capital.

Julie Record, of North Haven, an alternate for Obama, said she's hoping to get bumped up to delegate status so she can more fully support her candidate. And although she first attended a convention with her parents years ago, this is her first time coming as an adult.

"This year I was a supporter of Obama long before everybody got on the bandwagon," she said.

Record and more than 100 other women gathered in a meeting room at the civic center to talk about women's participation in the 2008 election cycle. Emerge Maine, an Augusta group that trains Democratic women to run for office, sponsored the forum.

Another workshop featured tips on campaigning.

Party organizers say they are especially excited to see so many delegates younger than 21 taking part in this year's convention. Nearly 300 are expected to attend this weekend, prompting party officials to put on an alcohol-free event for the younger crowd.

Caroline Slymon, 17, of Pittsfield is a Clinton delegate who said she's been interested in the New York senator since the first grade.

Although many of her friends support Obama, Slymon said she's been careful not to get into too many disagreements with them over the issue.

And she admitted many of her friends are jealous she is attending the convention.

"I've always sort of been interested in politics," said Slymon, a junior at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield.

Slymon, who wants to be a prosecuting attorney one day, said she believes Clinton can still get the nomination.

"It really depends on what happens with Michigan and Florida, at the convention and with the superdelegates," she said. "I think it's going to be a lot harder than we thought it was going to be."

National party officials are meeting today to talk about whether to allow delegates from Michigan and Florida to be seated at the national convention in August. Both states broke party rules by holding their primaries earlier than the date set by the national party.

Today's action at the Maine convention will feature speeches by many Democratic candidates and rallies on behalf of the presidential candidates.

Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., will speak on behalf of Clinton.

House Speaker Glenn Cummings, D-Portland, and former party official Gwenthalyn Phillips, will speak on Obama's behalf.

Slymon said she's looking forward to hearing Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the keynote speaker, who will take the stage tonight.

"He's a respected senator," she said. "He's had a long career."

Susan Cover -- 623-1056

scover@centralmaine.com