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An American Research Group poll released Thursday shows the U.S. presidential race remains tied.

The ARG ballot preference test between John F. Kerry and George W. Bush among registered voters found that 48 percent said they would vote for Kerry and 46 percent said they would vote for Bush, within the plus or minus 3 percent margin of error.

When liberal independent Ralph Nader is added, 46 percent said they would vote for Kerry, 45 percent said they would vote for Bush, and 3 percent said they would vote for Nader.

Among registered voters considered likely to vote in November, Bush is at 48 percent and Kerry is at 47 percent in a two-way contest; with Nader in the race, Bush and Kerry tie at 47 percent while Nader remains at 3 percent.

The results are based on 1,014 completed telephone interviews conducted among a nationwide random sample of registered voters. Of the total sample of 1,014 registered voters, 800 are likely voters in November. The interviews were completed August 30 through September 1, 2004.

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