Maine caucuses quietly begin as nation watches Nevada

Mainers started voting Saturday, but you might not have heard about it on the news — or from the Republican candidates.

Ron Paul, a favorite to win the Maine caucuses alongside Mitt Romney, is the only candidate to have visited so far this election season. Romney won the Maine vote in 2008, with Paul in third place. The eventual Republican nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, took second.

The reason for the lack of attention so far is simple: the rural state's caucuses last through Feb. 11, and its 24 delegates won't be awarded until May.

Still, state Republicans held more than 30 caucuses across the vast state on Saturday. They have been asked to keep the results of the non-binding caucus polls secret until next weekend.