Nevada official says ACORN not involved in census

CARSON CITY — Secretary of State Ross Miller says the community activist group ACORN won't be involved in the 2010 Census.

Miller issued a statement Wednesday, saying rumors of the group's involvement could hamper participation in the census and cost Nevada tens of millions of dollars.

His office estimates Nevada could lose $24 million in federal funding for every 1 percent of residents not counted.

ACORN, or the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, was involved in voter registration efforts in Nevada during the 2008 presidential campaign and is facing charges of illegally paying canvassers to sign up voters.

A former supervisor pleaded guilty last year and received probation. Trial is scheduled later this year for the organization and a former regional director.