A fundraising letter from the Republican National Committee that rankled Congress into passing a law banning deceptive mailings because they could be mistaken for an official U.S. Census document appears to be making the rounds in Hawaii.

The letter, titled “;2010 Congressional District Census, Commissioned by the Republican Party,”; is from RNC Chairman Michael Steele and includes a “;registered code “; number for the recipient.

It also includes a four-page survey that ends with an appeal for donations.

“;I was just really offended and angered by it,”; said Tina Shelton, a former television journalist who received one of the letters. “;I was offended by what, to me, appeared to be a document that could erode confidence in the U.S. census, which I'm a believer in because the data from the U.S. census is so crucial.

“;I think that kind of mailer erodes confidence and would possibly make people less likely to participate in the census.”;

A spokesman for the RNC says the mailings are legal and clearly state that they are for fundraising purposes.

“;The Republican National Committee is in full compliance with the law,”; said RNC spokesman Jahan Wilcox. “;The purpose of the mailer is to raise money so we can help defeat Democrats this fall.”;

The envelope is marked “;DO NOT DESTROY / OFFICIAL DOCUMENT”; on the outside, with smaller lettering that states: “;This is not a U.S. Government document.”;

It contains a two-page letter from Steele.

“;Your registered Census is one of a select few being mailed into Hawaii's 1st Congressional District,”; the letter to Shelton states. It is dated April 26.

The four-page survey asks about party affiliation and voting habits, and also includes questions such as:

» How much does it concern you that the Democrats have total control of the federal government?

» Do you worry that the Obama Administration is committed to greatly expanding the government's role in your life?

The RNC mailings have continued even after Congress unanimously passed legislation in March aimed at tightening restrictions on such mailings, which surfaced on the mainland earlier this year.

Those mailings drew criticism from Democrats and public opinion researchers who said they could interfere with the official census.

The Postal Service said the mailings were legal because they did not use the words “;United States Census”; or “;Census Bureau”; and made clear they were paid for by the Republicans.

Congress approved legislation in March requiring mailings marked “;census”; to state the name and address of the sender and to contain an unambiguous disclaimer that the survey is not affiliated with the federal government. President Barack Obama signed the bill last month.

The RNC has said it is in compliance.

“;The document is clearly marked that it's not a Census mailer, and it's clearly marked that it's not an official government document,”; Wilcox said.

A Democratic National Committee said the RNC might be complying with the letter of the law but not the spirit.

“;Pure and simple, the mailer being sent by the RNC is trying to deceive voters by pretending their mail is actually an important census document,”; DNC spokesman Frank Benenati said.

———

The Associated Press contributed to this report.