Who's winning, pictures, gaffes, issues and quotes -
BBC News Online presents an at-a-glance guide to the US election this week.
THE HIGHLIGHT
The debate does not seem to have helped Mr Bush
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The first debate between George W Bush and John Kerry on 30 September abruptly altered the dynamics of the race, with the challenger riding high on what pundits across the spectrum agree was a strong performance.
In the first polls taken since the debate, Senator Kerry - who had been trailing the president consistently for a month - has pulled even again. Some 60 million people watched the two men square off over Iraq, terrorism and America's place in the world.
WHO'S AHEAD
Following the first debate, Newsweek magazine puts Mr Bush and Mr Kerry in a statistical tie - 45% for the incumbent and 47% for the challenger, with 2% for independent Ralph Nader.
Mr Kerry's lead is within the poll's margin of error of four points.
It would increase to three points - 49% to 46% - without Mr Nader in the race.
The same magazine gave Mr Bush an 11-point lead - 52% to 41% - at the end of the Republican party convention a month ago.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
With many states solidly in one candidate's camp or the other, Mr Bush and Mr Kerry have campaigned most heavily in a small group of "swing states" that could go either way.
The large industrial states of Ohio and Pennsylvania have received the most attention - Mr Bush has visited each 13 times, while Mr Kerry has visited 19.
The challenger has also been to Florida - by far the largest swing state - 19 times.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
The re-election of George W Bush would be a mandate to continue on our present course of chaos. Kerry has a positive vision for America, plus the proven intelligence, good sense, and guts to make it happen.
President George W Bush's hometown newspaper, the Lone Star Iconoclast of Crawford, Texas, endorses his opponent.
To my knowledge, I have not seen any strong, hard evidence that links the two.
Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld backtracks from the alleged connection between Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden, used by President Bush as justification for the invasion of Iraq.
BUSH CAMPAIGN PICTURE
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Visiting victims
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No swing state is a bigger prize than Florida - and in the wake of a record year of hurricanes, George W Bush may be able to win it by coming to the aid of victims. Along with his brother, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, he has been spending time with those who have been battered.
KERRY CAMPAIGN PICTURE
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Striking steelworkers
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Both candidates have fought for the vote of steelworkers in the critical states of Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Mr Bush imposed tariffs to help the industry (though he was later forced to lift them), while Mr Kerry has pitched himself as a friend of the working man.
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