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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  • Subjects = African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta
"Mayoralty May Rest on Annexation Bill", January 18, 1969
1969--01-18
Hurst, Margaret
Atlanta legislators are drafting a bill to annex Sandy Springs to the city without a referendum, which could greatly enhance the chances of a Republican becoming Atlanta's next mayor; however, Negro community leaders are reluctant to support the move, which would dilute their influence in the upcoming mayoral election, and the proposed ward-based election system for half of Atlanta's aldermen and all of its school board members is opposed by Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. as one of the "most detrimental practices in American politics." 1 page.
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civic leaders, Political participation, Race discrimination
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Atlanta legislators are drafting a bill to annex Sandy Springs to the city without a referendum, which could greatly enhance the chances of a Republican becoming Atlanta's next mayor; however, Negro community leaders are reluctant to support the move, which would dilute their influence in the upcoming mayoral election, and the proposed ward-based election system for half of Atlanta's aldermen and all of its school board members is opposed by Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. as one of the "most detrimental practices in American politics." 1 page.
"A Candidate for Mayor? Name Your Own", January 17, 1969
1969--01-17
Cleghorn, Reese
This article discusses the potential candidates for the upcoming mayoral election in Atlanta, highlighting the lack of coalescence behind one or two candidates, and examining the strengths and weaknesses of the various potential candidates, including Rodney Cook, Sam Massell, Milton Farris, Everett Millican, Leroy Johnson, and Charles Weltner. Additionally, the article suggests the possibility of a push for a Negro vice mayor, with potential candidates including Vernon Jordan and Maynard Jackson. 1 page
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
This article discusses the potential candidates for the upcoming mayoral election in Atlanta, highlighting the lack of coalescence behind one or two candidates, and examining the strengths and weaknesses of the various potential candidates, including Rodney Cook, Sam Massell, Milton Farris, Everett Millican, Leroy Johnson, and Charles Weltner. Additionally, the article suggests the possibility of a push for a Negro vice mayor, with potential candidates including Vernon Jordan and Maynard Jackson. 1 page
"Mayor Allen Confirms That He'll Retire", January 7, 1969
1969--01-07
Coffin, Alex
Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. announced his retirement a year from then at an Atlanta Rotary Club luncheon, sparking speculation about possible candidates to succeed him, with Aid. Milton Farris, Vice Mayor Sam Massell, and Aid. Rodney Cook appearing to be the favorites, although reliable rumors circulating in the Black community that there may be no major Black candidate for mayor this year would strongly enhance Massell's candidacy. Along with article, "Concerted Negro Vote Sign Up Under Way for Mayor�s Race", about an effort is being made in Atlanta to register and educate eligible Black voters in an attempt to gain majority control in the upcoming mayoral election, with some caution being exercised to avoid splitting the Black vote by throwing support behind a white candidate, such as Vice Mayor Sam Massell, who is deemed more acceptable to some Black leaders than a Black candidate who may be seen as a sellout to the community, while also pressing for police reform and addressing allegations of police brutality and misconduct towards the Black community. 1 page.
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. announced his retirement a year from then at an Atlanta Rotary Club luncheon, sparking speculation about possible candidates to succeed him, with Aid. Milton Farris, Vice Mayor Sam Massell, and Aid. Rodney Cook appearing to be the favorites, although reliable rumors circulating in the Black community that there may be no major Black candidate for mayor this year would strongly enhance Massell's candidacy. Along with article, "Concerted Negro Vote Sign Up Under Way for Mayor�s Race", about an effort is being made in Atlanta to register and educate eligible Black voters in an attempt to gain majority control in the upcoming mayoral election, with some caution being exercised to avoid splitting the Black vote by throwing support behind a white candidate, such as Vice Mayor Sam Massell, who is deemed more acceptable to some Black leaders than a Black candidate who may be seen as a sellout to the community, while also pressing for police reform and addressing allegations of police brutality and misconduct towards the Black community. 1 page.
"Negro Leaders Hint Boycott Over School Board Choice", January 7, 1969
1969--01-07
The Atlanta School Board's choice of a successor to Mrs. Sara Mitchell was criticized by Negro leaders who warned of a possible boycott, while a church committee called for the resignation of Atlanta School Supt. John Letson and urged the board to obtain his resignation in order to replace him with an educator who will exhibit progressive leadership. 1 page.
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Education
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Atlanta School Board's choice of a successor to Mrs. Sara Mitchell was criticized by Negro leaders who warned of a possible boycott, while a church committee called for the resignation of Atlanta School Supt. John Letson and urged the board to obtain his resignation in order to replace him with an educator who will exhibit progressive leadership. 1 page.
Lunenburg County NAACP, circa 1970
1968/1972
Flyer from the Lunenburg County, Virginia branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) asking Black citizens to not support segregated newspapers. 1 page.
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Race discrimination, Race relations, Political posters, Voter registration
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Flyer from the Lunenburg County, Virginia branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) asking Black citizens to not support segregated newspapers. 1 page.
"What is the Voter Education Project?", circa 1970
1968/1972
A short history of the VEP and explanation of how it would spend contributions to advance the minority vote. 3 pages.
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civil rights workers, Voter registration, Voting, African Americans--Civil rights, Political participation
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A short history of the VEP and explanation of how it would spend contributions to advance the minority vote. 3 pages.
"How to Conduct a Registration Campaign", 1967
1967
Collins, Patricia
"How to Conduct a Registration Campaign" created by VEP intern and Spelman College sophomore Patricia Collins working in the office of Mayor Irving Allen. 24 pages.
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civil rights workers, Voter registration, Voting, African Americans--Civil rights, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"How to Conduct a Registration Campaign" created by VEP intern and Spelman College sophomore Patricia Collins working in the office of Mayor Irving Allen. 24 pages.
Report on Enrollment Changes in Atlanta Public Schools, 1965-1966
1966-04-06
Report on enrollment changes in Atlanta public schools from 1965-1966. The Atlanta Board of Education adopted a pupil assignment plan in 1966. The plan required all pupils to complete an application for assignment form for the school year 1966-67. The enrollment trend in each school possibly affected the choices of pupils or their parents. The enrollment changes were also potentially useful in evaluating the effectiveness of the pupil assignment plan in accomplishing the desegregation of the Atlanta public schools. 4 pages.
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, African American students, Demographic surveys
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Report on enrollment changes in Atlanta public schools from 1965-1966. The Atlanta Board of Education adopted a pupil assignment plan in 1966. The plan required all pupils to complete an application for assignment form for the school year 1966-67. The enrollment trend in each school possibly affected the choices of pupils or their parents. The enrollment changes were also potentially useful in evaluating the effectiveness of the pupil assignment plan in accomplishing the desegregation of the Atlanta public schools. 4 pages.
"Central City Neighborhood Development Center", circa 1967
1965/1970
Informational flyer on the Central City Neighborhood Development Center, listing the variety of services offered, like job and youth counseling, and banking. 2 pages.
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Social conditions
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Informational flyer on the Central City Neighborhood Development Center, listing the variety of services offered, like job and youth counseling, and banking. 2 pages.
"Join the Movement to Improve Living Conditions for Black People in College Park", circa 1967
1965/1970
A flyer to rally community action to change city council boundaries to improve conditions for Black families in the College Park area of Atlanta. 1 page.
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Social conditions
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A flyer to rally community action to change city council boundaries to improve conditions for Black families in the College Park area of Atlanta. 1 page.
"NAACP Youth Force Summer Program Includes Georgia", circa 1965
1960/1970
Article entitled "NAACP youth force summer program include Georgia" regarding the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) summer Youth Program for voter registration in Atlanta, Georgia. 1 page.
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American students, Voter registration
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article entitled "NAACP youth force summer program include Georgia" regarding the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) summer Youth Program for voter registration in Atlanta, Georgia. 1 page.
"VEP Holds National Conference on Black Colleges and Universities", 1983
1905--06-05
Draft of press release on upcoming conference on Black colleges and universities. 1 page.
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American universities and colleges
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Draft of press release on upcoming conference on Black colleges and universities. 1 page.
"Bill Gray Will Headline the Twenty First Dinner of the Voter Education Project", 1983
1905--06-05
Press release on Bill Gray addressing the 21st dinner of the VEP at the Onmi in Atlanta. 1 page.
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release on Bill Gray addressing the 21st dinner of the VEP at the Onmi in Atlanta. 1 page.