The Voter Education Project (VEP) began in 1962 as part of the Southern Regional Council. Initially VEP granted funds to civil rights organizations to support voter education, voter registration drives, and voting-related research. In 1964, Vernon Jordan, the second executive director of the VEP, expanded the programs goals to include citizenship training, voter education, and leadership training in the southern United States, while continuing to provide funds to independent voter and civil rights groups, including the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and the League of Women Voters. The VEP’s work with the League of Women Voters is highlighted in the materials below. In 1971, VEP under the leadership of John Lewis, became an independent organization and functioned as a research center and became known as an authoritative source for statistics on southern elections and voter registration in general. Lewis also forged the VEP into an activist organization, launching Voter Mobilization Tours with Georgia state legislator and civil rights advocate Julian Bond. At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.
Sep 4, 2020

Voter Education Project Organizational Records

The Voter Education Project (VEP) began in 1962 as part of the Southern Regional Council. Initially VEP granted funds to civil rights organizations to support voter education, voter registration drives, and voting-related research. In 1964, Vernon Jordan, the second executive director of the VEP, expanded the programs goals to include citizenship training, voter education, and leadership training in the southern United States, while continuing to provide funds to independent voter and civil rights groups, including the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and the League of Women Voters. The VEP’s work with the League of Women Voters is highlighted in the materials below. In 1971, VEP under the leadership of John Lewis, became an independent organization and functioned as a research center and became known as an authoritative source for statistics on southern elections and voter registration in general. Lewis also forged the VEP into an activist organization, launching Voter Mobilization Tours with Georgia state legislator and civil rights advocate Julian Bond.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.
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Joint Center for Political Studies publication with articles on the Voting Rights Act of 1975. 8 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Focus: Voting Rights Act of 1975, Vol. 2, No. 7, May 1974
Date Created
1974-05
Description
Joint Center for Political Studies publication with articles on the Voting Rights Act of 1975. 8 pages.
Subject
Voting, African Americans--Civil rights, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Poster advertising a voter rally with John Lewis and Hosea Williams. Sponsored by the VEP and the United Voter Education and Registration Committee of Selma.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Rally, April 22, 1974
Date Created
1974-04-22
Description
Poster advertising a voter rally with John Lewis and Hosea Williams. Sponsored by the VEP and the United Voter Education and Registration Committee of Selma.
Subject
Voting, Voter Registration, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Handbook compiled by the Joint Center for Political Studies, Voter Education Project, and Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law providing guidance on how to use Section 5 of the Act to further Black political participation. Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that has helped to increase Black political participation in the United States. The Act was successful in registering and electing more Black officials, but there were still political and economic obstacles that remained. 111 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Federal Review of Voting Changes: How to Use Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act", April 1974
Date Created
1974-04
Description
Handbook compiled by the Joint Center for Political Studies, Voter Education Project, and Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law providing guidance on how to use Section 5 of the Act to further Black political participation. Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that has helped to increase Black political participation in the United States. The Act was successful in registering and electing more Black officials, but there were still political and economic obstacles that remained. 111 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Handwritten Notes on problems, selection, training, recommendations, and summary with state lists. 5 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Handwritten Notes, 1974
Date Created
1974
Description
Handwritten Notes on problems, selection, training, recommendations, and summary with state lists. 5 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Report on the background of the VEP, the need for voter registration, technical assistance for minority elected and appointed officials, the need for citizenship education programs, and leadership development programs. 16 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Field Foundation Discussion Paper", 1974
Date Created
1974
Description
Report on the background of the VEP, the need for voter registration, technical assistance for minority elected and appointed officials, the need for citizenship education programs, and leadership development programs. 16 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, African American civil rights workers
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Flyer for a voter rally featuring John Lewis and Hosea Williams in Selma Alabama, along with a VEP request for payment form. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Voter Rally, John Lewis and Hosea Williams", 1974
Date Created
1974
Description
Flyer for a voter rally featuring John Lewis and Hosea Williams in Selma Alabama, along with a VEP request for payment form. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Political posters, Voter registration, Voting, African American civil rights workers, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Booklet describing the VEP Information Service and how it collects, stores, and disseminates data and statistics to electorate and news organizations. Includes evaluation and reporting forms. 35 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Information Service Handbook, 1974
Date Created
1974
Description
Booklet describing the VEP Information Service and how it collects, stores, and disseminates data and statistics to electorate and news organizations. Includes evaluation and reporting forms. 35 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civil rights workers, Voter registration, Voting, African Americans--Civil rights, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Audio recording of the Voter Education Project's annual benefit dinner, moderated by Rep. Andrew Young. Atlanta Commissioner of Administrative Services Emma Darnell leads the attendees in prayer. Governor Jimmy Carter gives a keynote speech about the importance of universal voter registration. Mayor Maynard Jackson emphasizes the positive impact of VEP on voter registration in the South, declaring May 4, 1974 as "VEP Day." John Lewis thanks the attendees for attending the benefit dinner. Senator Edward Kennedy gives a speech regarding the need for voter registration work and advocates for an extension of the Voting Rights Act. John Lewis talks with friend and assistant Archie Allen about how inequities in the legal system impact the lives of Black Americans. Lilian Miles thanks the attendees for their donations and commitment to voter registration. Harry Hughey offers closing remarks. Rabbi Alvin Sugarman gives the final prayer and benediction.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Side B: Hungary Club
Date Created
1974
Description
Audio recording of the Voter Education Project's annual benefit dinner, moderated by Rep. Andrew Young. Atlanta Commissioner of Administrative Services Emma Darnell leads the attendees in prayer. Governor Jimmy Carter gives a keynote speech about the importance of universal voter registration. Mayor Maynard Jackson emphasizes the positive impact of VEP on voter registration in the South, declaring May 4, 1974 as "VEP Day." John Lewis thanks the attendees for attending the benefit dinner. Senator Edward Kennedy gives a speech regarding the need for voter registration work and advocates for an extension of the Voting Rights Act. John Lewis talks with friend and assistant Archie Allen about how inequities in the legal system impact the lives of Black Americans. Lilian Miles thanks the attendees for their donations and commitment to voter registration. Harry Hughey offers closing remarks. Rabbi Alvin Sugarman gives the final prayer and benediction.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civic leaders, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Meetings
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Keller Bumgardner and Conference Participants, "Making Election Process Work Conference" in Columbia, South Carolina memorandum summarizing the conference recommendations. 5 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Keller Bumgardner and Conference Participants, October 18, 1973
Date Created
1973-10-18
Description
Correspondence Between Keller Bumgardner and Conference Participants, "Making Election Process Work Conference" in Columbia, South Carolina memorandum summarizing the conference recommendations. 5 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Women--Societies and clubs
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Facts published by League of Women Voters of Atlanta- Fulton County with city candidates information, questions and answers, and information about the city council. 24 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Facts Published by League of Women Voters of Atlanta- Fulton County Vol. XLV1 No. 6, October-November 1973
Date Created
1973-10
Description
Facts published by League of Women Voters of Atlanta- Fulton County with city candidates information, questions and answers, and information about the city council. 24 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Women--Societies and clubs
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Recommendations from "Conference on Making the Election Process Work" with enclosed memo, conference materials, and summary report of the conference. 25 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Recommendations from Conference on Making the Election Process Work", September 25, 1973
Date Created
1973-09-25
Description
Recommendations from "Conference on Making the Election Process Work" with enclosed memo, conference materials, and summary report of the conference. 25 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Women--Societies and clubs
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Participants at Conference on Making the Election Process Work: Improving Registration and Polling Place Operations League of Women Voters Education Fund in Columbia, South Carolina listing participants, speakers, discussion leaders, staff, and trustees. 5 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Participants at Conference on Making the Election Process Work: Improving Registration and Polling Place Opera
Date Created
1973-09-25
Description
Participants at Conference on Making the Election Process Work: Improving Registration and Polling Place Operations League of Women Voters Education Fund in Columbia, South Carolina listing participants, speakers, discussion leaders, staff, and trustees. 5 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Preliminary Agenda Conference on Making the Election Process Work: Improving Registration and Polling Place Operations of the League of Women Voters Education Fund in Columbia, South Carolina. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Preliminary Agenda Conference on Making the Election Process Work, September 25, 1973
Date Created
1973-09-25
Description
Preliminary Agenda Conference on Making the Election Process Work: Improving Registration and Polling Place Operations of the League of Women Voters Education Fund in Columbia, South Carolina. 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence between Mrs. Keller Bumgardner, Election Systems Project and Election Systems Project Conference Participants about election conference in Columbia, South Carolina with details of the conference. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Election Systems Project and Election Systems Project Conference Participants, Septembe
Date Created
1973-09-11
Description
Correspondence between Mrs. Keller Bumgardner, Election Systems Project and Election Systems Project Conference Participants about election conference in Columbia, South Carolina with details of the conference. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Making It Work: A Guide to Training Election Workers" booklet from the League of Women Voters on how to train election workers with enclosed correspondence between Mr. John Lewis and Mrs. Keller Bumgardner. 34 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Making It Work: A Guide to Training Election Workers", August 20, 1973
Date Created
1973-08-20
Description
"Making It Work: A Guide to Training Election Workers" booklet from the League of Women Voters on how to train election workers with enclosed correspondence between Mr. John Lewis and Mrs. Keller Bumgardner. 34 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Women--Societies and clubs
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP press release asking for the investigation of a Talbot County special election.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, June 15, 1973
Date Created
1973-06-15
Description
VEP press release asking for the investigation of a Talbot County special election.
Subject
Voting, Voter Registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Facts: League of Women Voters of the United States 1973-74" brochure detailing the national program, community work, voters services, and publications. 5 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Facts League of Women Voters of the United States 1973-74 Brochure, 1973-1974
Date Created
1973
Description
"Facts: League of Women Voters of the United States 1973-74" brochure detailing the national program, community work, voters services, and publications. 5 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Women--Societies and clubs
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
General summary of registration procedures in the Southern states in 1973, including information regarding registration location and registration period, created an effort to make election and voting procedures more transparent to the public, which was included in the VEP's "Election Notebook." 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
General Summary of Registration Procedures in the Southern States for 1973
Date Created
1973
Description
General summary of registration procedures in the Southern states in 1973, including information regarding registration location and registration period, created an effort to make election and voting procedures more transparent to the public, which was included in the VEP's "Election Notebook." 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Poster encouraging registration for city elections and voting for county elections. Sponsored by the VEP.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Register! Vote!" Poster, circa 1977
Date Created
1972/1982
Description
Poster encouraging registration for city elections and voting for county elections. Sponsored by the VEP.
Subject
Voting, Voter Registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Two unidentified women speak with a man in a parking lot with a building under construction in the background.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Women Talk with a Man, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
Two unidentified women speak with a man in a parking lot with a building under construction in the background.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African American women, Buildings and grounds
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records