Kerry wins big in Michigan

DETROIT, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John Kerry scored a big victory in Michigan Saturday in Democratic presidential caucuses marred by voting problems in Detroit.

With 15 of 18 congressional districts counted, Kerry had 50 percent of the vote, good for Michigan's 128 delegates, the Detroit Free Press reported. Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean was in second place with 17 percent and U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina was in third with 14 percent.

More than 148,000 people voted, the second highest number for a Democratic caucus, Lt. Gov. John Cherry said. About 50,000 people cast their votes on the Internet.

The Free Press said a group of black leaders planned to challenge the results in court because of voter confusion in Detroit.

The polls in the state's largest city were ordered to remain open two hours past scheduled closing time because several sites were changed at the last minute, sending voters scurrying to find a place to cast ballots.