The latest Rasmussen Reports survey of Maine voters finds Senator Kerry with 49% of the vote and President Bush with 44%.

Four years ago, Al Gore defeated Bush to carry Maine by that same margin, 49% to 44%.

A month ago, our polling showed Kerry with a 48% to 44% lead in Maine. Because we require a five-point lead before projecting a state for one candidate or the other, Maine was considered a Toss-Up for our Electoral College projections. Based upon this new survey data, we are shifting the state to "Leans Kerry."

Kerry leads among female voters in Maine while the candidates are essentially even among men.

In Maine, 46% of all voters Approve of the way President Bush is performing his job. That's down two points from a month ago and well below his national Job Approval rating.

Leading up to the Republican National Convention, we have released state polling data in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio. Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin

Beginning September 1, Rasmussen Reports will expand our Tracking Poll to 1,000 Likely Voters per night. At the same time, we will increase the flow of information provided both on the public site and for our Premium Members.

Premium Service during the final two months of the campaign will include daily tracking for Florida, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania along with provide frequent updates for many other states and key Senate races. Details on the Premium Member enhancements will be released this weekend.

State data will be provided for the public site on a regular, but less frequent, basis.

Rasmussen Reports is an independent public opinion research firm that provides daily updates on the Presidential election and the nation's economic confidence.