The U.S. Census Bureau is dropping its ties with the controversial voter registration group ACORN.
      
Census Bureau director Robert Groves wrote in a letter that the bureau's affiliation with ACORN has caused concern in the general public and fears that could negatively impact the 2010 census.

Some members of ACORN were accused last year of submitting false voter registration forms with names like Mickey Mouse.  Republicans have also criticized the Census Bureau's ties with ACORN.

Groves wrote, "As of today, we have close to 80,000 partnership agreements with national and local groups - many of whom are trusted voices and serve these same populations - and we will be relying upon those groups to continue our outreach in the communities you serve."