New poll finds dead heat in NY House race

The Siena College poll shows Democrat Bill Owens leading Republican Dierdre Scozzafava (scohz-uh-FAHV'-uh) by 4%age points - close to the survey's margin of error. Owens has the support of 33% of likely voters, while Scozzafava has 29%. Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman has 23%, up from 16% in a poll two weeks ago.

The largely rural district sprawls through 11 counties in central and northern New York.

The special election is Nov. 3.

The phone survey of 617 likely voters was conducted from Sunday through Tuesday. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.9%age points.