GOP 'Census' letter draws criticism

Associated Press

January 26, 2010

The Republican Party is seeking input and money from GOP voters - seemingly under the guise of the U.S. Census Bureau.
"Strengthening our Party for the 2010 elections is going to take a massive grassroots effort all across America. That is why I have authorized a Census to be conducted of every Congressional District in the country," GOP Chairman Michael Steele says in a letter mailed nationwide.
The letter was sent in plain white envelopes marked "Do Not Destroy, Official Document." Labeled "2010 Congressional District Census," the letter uses a capital "C," the same as the Census Bureau. It also includes a "Census Tracking Code."
The letter makes a plea for money and accompanies a form asking voters to identify their political leanings and issues important to them. There are no disclaimers that participation in the GOP effort is voluntary; participation in the government census is required by law.
Sara Sendek, a Republican National Committee spokeswoman, said the letter was not an attempt to mislead voters. But Democrats said the letter could make voters to believe it's part of the nationwide census being conducted this year.
U.S. Census Bureau spokesman Michael Cook says he has received several complaints over the past week from voters who believed the letter was misleading. Cook says the agency is still deciding what steps to take.