WASHINGTON -- Democrat Al Gore took a narrow two-percentage-point lead over Republican George W. Bush in Monday's Reuters/MSNBC national tracking poll, meaning the presidential race remained within the margin of error on the eve of Election Day.

Gore, the vice president, led Texas Gov. Bush 48-46 percent on the back of a strong 48 hours of polling. Bush had led, but never by more than five points, for the past 11 days in a row.

Other polls showed Bush with a narrow lead of up to four points, though the Gallup poll suggested movement toward Gore in the past 24 hours. Previous close presidential elections have swung decisively in the final hours of the campaign.

The Reuters/MSNBC national survey of around 1,200 voters likely to take part in Tuesday's election, conducted Saturday through Monday by pollster John Zogby, also found support for Green Party nominee Ralph Nader slipping to 4 percent; Libertarian Party candidate Harry Browne polled 1 percent; Reform Party candidate Pat Buchanan slipped below 1 percent.

The statistical margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points means the race is too close to call.

With the national poll this close, attention is focused on a few battleground states where the election will be decided. Separate Reuters/MSNBC tracking polls of around 600 likely voters in nine key states showed Gore picking up major momentum in Pennsylvania, Missouri and Washington.

Gore now seemed securely ahead in Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Washington. Bush appeared to have Ohio and was five points ahead in Tennessee. The crucial state of Florida, as well as Missouri and Wisconsin, all remained well within the state tracking poll's margin of error of plus or minus four points.

In total, 153 votes in the Electoral College are up for grabs in those nine states. At the moment according to these polls, Gore would win 99 and Bush would take 43 of those votes. Missouri was a dead heat.

These are the complete state-by-state results for Monday, including the net change over the past 24 hours:

A total of 270 electoral votes are needed to be elected president. Most analysts believe both candidates have definitely secured about 200, leaving some 138 to be fought over that will decide the election.

ALSO CLOSE IN HOUSE STRUGGLE

In the equally tight race for the House of Representatives, voters in the national poll preferred the Democrats by three points. The Democrats need a net gain of seven seats to regain control from the Republicans.

Several tight Senate races also showed movement in the past 24 hours.

• In New York, Republican Rick Lazio edged ahead of first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, 50 percent to 49 percent.

• In Missouri, the late Gov. Mel Carnahan, whose wife says she would serve in his place if he won, held a slight lead over Republican Sen. John Ashcroft 50-47 percent. Carnahan was killed in a plane crash Oct. 16 but his name remains on the ballot.

• In Florida, Democrat Bill Nelson's lead over Republican Bill McCollum has disappeared leaving the two deadlocked at 48 percent. Nelson had held a seemingly secure lead but it has melted away in the past two days.

• In Washington state, Democrat Maria Cantwell held a five-point lead over Republican Sen. Slade Gorton, 52-47 percent. Gorton had previously led the race.

• In Michigan, Democrat Debbie Stabenow was a little ahead of Republican Sen. Spencer Abraham, 51-47 percent.

Democrats need to pick up five seats to regain the majority in the Senate.

Reuters and MSNBC will release a a final national poll at 7 a.m on Election Day.