Who's winning, pictures, gaffes, issues and quotes -
BBC News Online presents an at-a-glance guide to the US election this week.
THE HOT ISSUE
Similar clothes, varied policies: Stark differences emerged in the debate
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Both contenders came out swinging for their third and final televised debate of the campaign, on 13 October.
With the focus on domestic issues, Mr Kerry accused Mr Bush of mismanaging the economy and of caring only for the rich while the president branded his opponent as a liberal, who would raise taxes to fund larger government programmes.
As with the two previous debates, there was no knockout blow and both camps could claim their man was the winner.
AD WATCH
The short debate season may have ended on 13 October, but voters in swing states are still being inundated with campaign messages on their televisions.
Both camps brought out new ads to run on their websites and in select local markets to push home their messages.
A new ad from the Bush team said Mr Kerry's health plan would involve a costly "big-government takeover". It told voters it would mean: "1.5 trillion dollars. Rationing. Less access. Fewer choices. Long waits. And Washington bureaucrats, not your doctor... make final decisions on your health."
The Kerry campaign produced a commercial just to be shown in Ohio. A narrator said the state had lost 230,000 jobs during the Bush years but that a top administration official told Ohioans that the losses were a "myth". "When is George Bush going to face reality?" the ad asked.
WHO'S AHEAD
The election remains in the balance, according to state polls tracked by Electoral-Vote.com.
Latest surveys used by the site, which aims to be non-partisan, showed neither candidate sure of the 270 electoral college votes needed to win the presidency.
With Mr Kerry on 253 votes and Mr Bush on 247, the site said a predicted result in Florida - with its 27 electoral votes - was deemed too close to call.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
Being lectured by the president on fiscal responsibility is a little bit like Tony Soprano talking to me about law and order in this country.
John Kerry
You know, there's a mainstream in American politics and you [John Kerry] sit right on the far-left bank.
George W Bush
BUSH PICTURE
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White House greenbacks
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After the debates, it was back to the campaign trails for the presidential candidates and their campaigns.
Keen to connect with ordinary voters, President Bush ventured into a restaurant in Florida where he put his money where his mouth was.
KERRY PICTURE
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Challenger's cash
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John Kerry was also getting back to basics in the swing states and finding his own photo opportunity to pose as a regular guy.
He took out his cash after a church service in Columbus when he found time to get in an early lunch order.
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