(CNN) - Republican Mitt Romney had an early lead in Maine's GOP caucuses as the first returns were counted Saturday, with the state party reporting unusually heavy turnout.
The former Massachusetts governor had 52 percent of the vote with 68 percent of caucuses reporting their final tally. John McCain followed with 21 percent, Ron Paul with 19 percent, and Mike Huckabee with 6 percent.
Click here to get instant, minute-by-minute results.
The non-binding votes are the first step toward electing 18 Maine delegates to the party's national convention this August.
Republican caucuses were being held between Friday and Sunday, with most on Saturday. The state's Democrats will hold their presidential preference votes at caucuses on February 10.
(Results updated 9:34 p.m. ET)
From CNN Politics
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I was thinking the same thing. Everyone has seemed to have forgotten Maine. I know it is a small state but they deserve just as much respect as any other state.
Has Romney (regardless of where he is in the state) actually gone on tv to at the very least say THANK YOU? I've been watching various news channels all day/night so far and have not heard a thing. That doesn't seem very professional yet alone presidential.
Romney bought this one. Sorry Maine.
Sorry, but at this point a vote for Paul is a vote for McCain.
What is going on with the media? Romney wins in Wyoming – no coverage. Romney wins in Nevada – little coverage. Romney wins in Maine – little coverage. McCain wins in states – HUGE COVERAGE.
Personally, I've been debating between Romney and McCain, but I have to say that the media bias is beginning to seem quite telling.
I don't think I could vote for McCain even if Romney was the VP (unless it looked like McCain's health was failing him).
This new from Maine is good news indeed. It's always nice to hear when there are voters who don't want an open borders, anti-free-speech, hot-headed John McCain running this country.
Anyone who would say the election was stolen is insulting Maine and the thousands of hard-working Republican volunteers across the state. Many of us spent many hours today working hard to run fair, honest, clean elections in the state of Maine, and we are proud of our record on this. We run good, honest elections in Maine – in fact we run better elections than most of the country, and have better U.S. Senators than most of the country, and we're proud of that. While you may have preferred that another candidate won today in Maine, it is dishonest to dispute the result
18 more delegates for Romney. Good news! I'm somewhat new to the political scene and am confused at the reasons why the media decide to pick one state over another. Sure, traditionally there have been certain states that have determined momentum, but this election seems to be breaking the mold and it would be nice to see the media cover some other places in America besides the traditional.
Go MITT!!!!!! Wake up OTHER FISCAL and SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES! If Huck is supporting McCain, he's just fooling YOU that he's conservative, too!!
Romney is the leader our country desperately needs. I hope voters in the other states follow Maine's example.
Real good showing for McCain. Get both Senators to endorse you then lose to Paul. Nice, hehehe
I noticed CNN hasn't been talking about Maine so I watched a live Obama Rally in St. Louis and after Obamas speech switched back to CNN,nothing so I went back to my computer upstairs.
I thought CNN is to show all the states.
Ron Paul should do well when people actually start paying attention to what we are getting ourselves into aka... McCain or Romney not a true conservative among either of them
AP called Romeny victory at 10:35 EST. It is now past midnight, and no call CNN.
Why not a call with over 68% reporting, and Romeny leading 53% to 21%? If it were McCain or Obama, would we still be waiting?
Romney sucks.....millions of his own and still can't win any that count
Dr. Paul ??? Are you insane ???
I went to the Portland Maine caucus, and it seems as though intelligent people did come out to vote as well as a number of oblique and scheming Ron Paul supporters.
Mitt Romney has spent his life in public, private, and government, getting things done and making changes happen. Senators and Representatives spend their time creating red tape, following the heard, and bickering about who should have more clout, and who's idea should have more attention.
For ME, Mitt is the choice for Americans.
~J
if paul was primary winner for republican , i would switch over from democrat and vote for him......... he has the best views, common sense, and he thinks like the regular citizens of america, i like him...
Could not be happier about Maine news. Very excited - Romney 08'
Defenitely America does not need a President that is even remotely connected with Islam or a Hussein. It will be the worst turn in the history of America. A Black or Colored American is fine, but it is essential this person has had nothing to do with Islam. Because with Islam comes, anarchy, fuedal attitudes and way of life, which America a free country must sustain and spread. We are free peoples, we need liberty and freedom more than anything else.
George Bush has been a president with an anarchic attitude which are clearly established by the way he has been veto-ing bills and spending hard earned tax payers money on a wasteful war and for subsidizing a terror country Pakistan and leader like Musharaff.
There are better Republican presidents and better black Americans to chose from, just lets bide our time.
For the time being America needs a professional like Mitt Romney, who is honest, knows what he thinks and can run the country and its businesses with focus and honesty.
x
For the time being America needs a professional like Mitt Romney, who is honest, knows what he thinks and can run the country and its businesses with focus and honesty.
Vote Mitt Romney!!!
why haven't these comments been updated for over 6 hours, and why are the poll results not being updated? Who won (and who got 2nd and 3rd)?
Go Duane!!!!....Ron Paul is the only hope for this country!...
I resent that. I'm 19 and participated in the South Portland Caucus today in Maine. I voted for Mitt Romney.
That would put Romney at 88 delegates to McCain's 97. He is closing on McCain, I sure hope this gets some coverage. Unlike Romney's other wins such as Nevada where he below McCain out of the water, even without the Mormon vote.
Also:
Rasmussen Reports now has McCain & Romney tied nationally at 30% apiece.
I hope someone talks about this stuff as Romney was the clear front runner until McCain won Florida as he was leading in both delegates and votes until that point.