Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump surpassed his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, in a new poll published a week before the US election.

According to The Washington Post and ABC News tracking poll, Trump has the support of 46 per cent of voters compared with 45 per cent for Clinton.

The survey, conducted by telephone on October 27-30 among 1128 likely voters, also found that Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson has 3 per cent support, while the Green Party’s Jill Stein has 2 per cent.

This is the first time since May that the real estate tycoon has beaten the former secretary of state in the periodic polling performed by the two media outlets.

In a similar survey last week, Clinton was leading Trump by 46 per cent to 45 per cent, and a little more than a week ago, the former first lady was enjoying a 12-point lead (50 per cent to 38 per cent) over the controversial billionaire.

One relevant finding in the survey was that 53 per cent of those consulted said that they were “very enthusiastic” in their support of Trump, while 45 per cent said the same about Clinton.

The study also found that 21 per cent of voters have already cast their ballots, 24 per cent are still planning to vote early or by absentee ballot and the rest intend to physically go to the polls on November 8.

On his Twitter account, Trump hailed the latest poll, saying: “Wow, now leading in @ABC /@washingtonpost Poll 46 to 45. Gone up 12 points in two weeks, mostly before the Crooked Hillary blow-up!” — an allusion to the latest chapter in the email scandal.

Wow, now leading in @ABC /@washingtonpost Poll 46 to 45. Gone up 12 points in two weeks, mostly before the Crooked Hillary blow-up!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2016