PORTLAND — The Democrats are hoping to use state conventions to unite supporters of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in advance of the presidential election.

The scenario is playing itself out on Friday in Maine, where Democrats are divided between supporters of the Vermont senator and former secretary of state. Party leaders will try to unite the two factions at a convention scheduled for Cross Insurance Arena on Friday and Saturday.

Many conventions remain in other states won by both candidates.

Sanders won Maine’s caucus March 6. He took 16 pledged delegates to Clinton’s nine. But Clinton also has the support of at least three of five so-called superdelegates.

The Maine Democrats’ convention theme is “Together, we are Maine!” Convention participants will also elect Maine’s delegation to the national convention in July.