Will Maine's GOP delegates get seated in Tampa?

As you've likely heard by now, supporters of Texas Rep. Ron Paul succeeded in taking over Maine's GOP convention this past weekend, electing one of their own to chair the meeting and, ultimately, 20 of the 21 electable delegates to the national GOP convention in Tampa this August. But while Paul supporters were extremely well organized for the takeover, they had a more difficult time actually running the convention, which reportedly descended into chaos, with U.S. Senate candidates having to abandon plans to address the audience at the Augusta Civic Center.

Romney supporters have indicated they would challenge the legitimacy of the Maine delegation, alleging violations of process, raising the possibility that Maine would wind up with only three votes at the national convention, rather than 24. My story in today's Portland Press Herald explores how such a challenge would occur, on what grounds, and what the impact would be of its success or failure. It being a relatively slow news day, it's the lead story in the Press Herald and both of its sister papers, the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.

For additional background on February's flawed Maine GOP caucus -- which is said to have motivated Paul supporters to seize the state convention -- try my piece in the current issue of Down East Magazine.