AUGUSTA – The state’s Democrats are packing up and heading to Charlotte, N.C., for their national party convention that will re-nominate President Obama and seek to highlight what’s at stake for voters in the presidential election.

Maine is sending 37 voting delegates and three nonvoting party leaders to the convention due to start Monday, which stands to turn into a cozier and less confrontational affair than it was for their GOP counterparts in Tampa last week.

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The Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C., is being prepared for the Democratic National Convention. The Associated Press

While Obama is the undisputed nominee unifying the Democrats, Maine Republican delegates became embroiled in a bitter credentials battle that divided supporters of Mitt Romney and challenger Ron Paul, who has a sizable contingent of supporters in Maine.

Democrats say their convention will highlight the differences between the parties and set into motion the fall campaign.

“The convention will reinvigorate the party base for the fall election,” said Barry Hobbins of Saco, a veteran of six national conventions, including one as party chairman. “It’s really the beginning of the Democratic team coming back to the playing field.”

Hobbins, who is Senate floor leader, joins other state lawmakers including Sens. Philip Bartlett II of Gorham and Stanley Gerzofsky of Brunswick, and House Democratic Leader Rep. Emily Cain of Orono, as delegates. Also on the list are former legislators and party officials.

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