in reply to random elements with fixed totals

The requirement that a set number of bits be set is a restriction which reduces randomness. In physics, that is like the contraction of a state in statistical mechanics from any configuration to one with a certain energy. It's one thing if you want a random distribution with fixed average; another if you want a totally random distribution whose average is usually near a certain value.

The answer to your question depends on what you really want to do.

After Compline,
Zaxo