NEW YORK -- Three days before the election, President Bush is gaining on Sen. John Kerry among likely and registered voters, a Newsweek Poll said Saturday.

A three-way heat shows Bush and Vice President Cheney leading Kerry and Sen. John Edwards 50 percent to 44 percent, with Ralph Nader and Peter Camejo at one percent.

The poll, still a statistical dead heat and within the margin of error, shows Bush's lead is wider than last week's 48 percent to Kerry's 46 percent and one percent for Nader.

In two-way polling, Bush took 51 percent to Kerry's 45 percent, up from 48 percent for the president and 47 percent for Kerry last week.

The race appears much closer among registered voters, with Bush getting 48 percent to 44 percent for Kerry and 1 percent for Nader. In a two-way scenario, it was Bush with 48 percent and Kerry 45 percent among registered voters.

Last week Bush and Kerry were tied in both heats, at 46 percent and 45 percent, respectively.

Nine percent of registered voters and six percent of likely voters say they have not yet decided who they will vote for.

A substantial 59 percent of registered voters said they expect major problems with voting on Election Day compared to just 34 percent who believe it will go smoothly.

Fifty-four percent think the race will be so tight that there will be no clear winner Tuesday night, while 40 percent disagree.

Copyright 2004 by United Press International