MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bush or Kerry?

Senator John Kerry, the Democratic challenger, received a last-minute fillip in the opinion polls as all the signs pointed to a massive turnout by a deeply polarised electorate in today's American presidential vote.

A Gallup poll last night showed Mr Kerry and President George W Bush tied on 49 per cent but with several key marginal states, where the race will be decided, tilting towards the Democrat.

A Fox News poll gave him a two-point lead.

The Gallup poll also showed a steep decline in Mr Bush's lead on the dominant issues, the fight against terrorism and the war in Iraq.

But with some of the few remaining undecided voters still dithering, the race looks a statistical tie, as it was in 2000.

Both sides have mobilised tens of thousands of helpers to ferry voters to the polls and the result may depend on issues as trivial as the weather.