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.
56 Objects displayed
AllCollectionsObjects
  1. Browse Repository
  2. Archival Collections
  3. Voter Education Project Organizational Records
For:
  • Geographic Location = Georgia--Atlanta
  • Decade = 1960-1969
  • Subjects = Political participation
A newspaper clipping referencing Vernon Jordan and Ben Brown's possible run for Congress. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"2 Negroes Sticking to Congress Plans", December 12, 1969
Date Created
1969-12-12
Description
A newspaper clipping referencing Vernon Jordan and Ben Brown's possible run for Congress. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping discussing potential candidates for the Fifth District congressional seat. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Race for Congress", November 18, 1969
Date Created
1969-11-18
Description
A newspaper clipping discussing potential candidates for the Fifth District congressional seat. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping regarding candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"'Some Black Man Should Oppose Thompson,' Say Rep. Ben Brown", November 1, 1969
Date Created
1969-11-01
Description
A newspaper clipping regarding candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives. 2 pages.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper article describing a possible congressional run of Vernon Jordan. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"SRC's Jordan Considers Bid for Congress", October 1969
Date Created
1969-10
Description
A newspaper article describing a possible congressional run of Vernon Jordan. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing Georgia State Representative Ben Brown's possible campaign for the 5th District congressional seat in the 1970 election. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Rep. Ben Brown Ponders Race Against Thompson", September 14, 1969
Date Created
1969-09-14
Description
A newspaper clipping describing Georgia State Representative Ben Brown's possible campaign for the 5th District congressional seat in the 1970 election. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A short history and activities conducted by the VEP. 9 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"A Statement on the Voter Education Project of the Southern Regional Council, Inc.", June 14, 1969
Date Created
1969-06-14
Description
A short history and activities conducted by the VEP. 9 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
Correspondence and accompanying news articles describing voter registrations drives, and Atlanta's young politicians. 8 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence from Billie Pfiffner to Vernon Jordan, May 4, 1969
Date Created
1969--05-04
Description
Correspondence and accompanying news articles describing voter registrations drives, and Atlanta's young politicians. 8 pages.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing plans to select a Black mayoral candidate. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Sen. Johnson Urges Negro Vote to Select a Candidate for Mayor", April 23, 1969
Date Created
1969--04-23
Description
A newspaper clipping describing plans to select a Black mayoral candidate. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing the campaign of Marvin S. Arrington for a 9th Ward city aldermanic seat. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Negro Aide in OEO Office to Run for 9th Ward Seat", April 22, 1969
Date Created
1969--04-22
Description
A newspaper clipping describing the campaign of Marvin S. Arrington for a 9th Ward city aldermanic seat. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The article discusses the possibility of a Negro mayor in Atlanta and the potential candidates, as well as the challenges of being a mayor of a major city, with insights from Cleveland Mayor Oairl Stokes and Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Atlanta's Mayor", March 24, 1969
Date Created
1969--03-24
Author
Gulliver, Hal
Description
The article discusses the possibility of a Negro mayor in Atlanta and the potential candidates, as well as the challenges of being a mayor of a major city, with insights from Cleveland Mayor Oairl Stokes and Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
News clipping on Vernon Jordan, along with article on a poll taken in January to determine voter preferences for the next mayor of Atlanta, former U.S. Rep. Charles L. Weltner and Vice Mayor Sam Massell were about even, with Alderman Rodney Cook somewhat behind, however, the poll's reliability was questioned due to its early timing and small sample size of 300 registered voters. With correspondence from Billie and Harry Pfiffner. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Atlanta Attorney Jordan Named Alumnus of the Year at Depew", March 21, 1969
Date Created
1969--03-21
Description
News clipping on Vernon Jordan, along with article on a poll taken in January to determine voter preferences for the next mayor of Atlanta, former U.S. Rep. Charles L. Weltner and Vice Mayor Sam Massell were about even, with Alderman Rodney Cook somewhat behind, however, the poll's reliability was questioned due to its early timing and small sample size of 300 registered voters. With correspondence from Billie and Harry Pfiffner. 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, Voting, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Atlanta's outgoing Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. predicted that no major candidates, business-backed or Negro, will emerge to succeed him and named Vice Mayor Sam Massell, Alderman Rodney Cook, Alderman Everett Millican, Alderman Milton Farris, Alderman Cecil Turner, and former U.S. Rep. Charles L. Weltner as probable candidates, while stressing the need for Atlanta's White leadership to recognize it will have to deal with Black leaders in the future and that race will continue to dominate city government issues. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Allen Sees Mayors Race Drawn", March 19, 1969
Date Created
1969--03-19
Author
Coffin, Alex
Description
Atlanta's outgoing Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. predicted that no major candidates, business-backed or Negro, will emerge to succeed him and named Vice Mayor Sam Massell, Alderman Rodney Cook, Alderman Everett Millican, Alderman Milton Farris, Alderman Cecil Turner, and former U.S. Rep. Charles L. Weltner as probable candidates, while stressing the need for Atlanta's White leadership to recognize it will have to deal with Black leaders in the future and that race will continue to dominate city government issues. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civic leaders, African American businesspeople, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing campaigns by Maynard Jackson, Vernon Jordan, and Leroy Johnson. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Johnson, Jordan Map Races", March 10, 1969
Date Created
1969--03-10
Description
A newspaper clipping describing campaigns by Maynard Jackson, Vernon Jordan, and Leroy Johnson. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing remarks made by Dr. Vivian Henderson to the Austell Rotary Club. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Negro Could Be Mayor Here, Henderson Says", February 21, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-21
Description
A newspaper clipping describing remarks made by Dr. Vivian Henderson to the Austell Rotary Club. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The article discusses political figure Julian Bond, who is well-known and influential in the Atlanta Black community, but may not fare well among White voters in Georgia, and questions whether it is equally "racial" politics to suggest that in the future Black voters will only vote for a Black candidate. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"The Mayors Race", February 19, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-19
Author
Gulliver, Hal
Description
The article discusses political figure Julian Bond, who is well-known and influential in the Atlanta Black community, but may not fare well among White voters in Georgia, and questions whether it is equally "racial" politics to suggest that in the future Black voters will only vote for a Black candidate. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civic leaders, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, Voting, Race relations
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Community Relations Commission in Atlanta recognizes successful Black business executives with its first "Business Achievement Award," including Ira L. Jackson, Robert West, Mrs. Mary Jordan, Herman J. Russell, and James and Robert Paschal, highlighting the city's reputation as a community of opportunity and concerned citizens. With correspondence from Billie Pfiffner to Vernon Jordan. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Business Works", February 17, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-17
Description
The Community Relations Commission in Atlanta recognizes successful Black business executives with its first "Business Achievement Award," including Ira L. Jackson, Robert West, Mrs. Mary Jordan, Herman J. Russell, and James and Robert Paschal, highlighting the city's reputation as a community of opportunity and concerned citizens. With correspondence from Billie Pfiffner to Vernon Jordan. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civic leaders, African American businesspeople, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
In 1969, State Rep. Julian Bond predicted that a Black mayor would be elected in Atlanta, and that Black Atlanta would become the majority, resulting in either an orderly transition of government or a state of political cold war between the races, depending on the willingness of the Black community to unify and the White community to accept the inevitable future, and argued for the need for a strong political organization and ward elections in the city. With correspondence from Billie Pfiffner to Vernon Jordan concerning Julian Bond's interest in Congress over mayorship. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Last White Mayor in '69, Bond Says", February 13, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-13
Description
In 1969, State Rep. Julian Bond predicted that a Black mayor would be elected in Atlanta, and that Black Atlanta would become the majority, resulting in either an orderly transition of government or a state of political cold war between the races, depending on the willingness of the Black community to unify and the White community to accept the inevitable future, and argued for the need for a strong political organization and ward elections in the city. With correspondence from Billie Pfiffner to Vernon Jordan concerning Julian Bond's interest in Congress over mayorship. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civic leaders, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, Voting, Race relations
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
City Attorney Henry Bowden has been suggested as a possible successor to Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. by a group of downtown business leaders, but Bowden has stated that he does not want the job and is a reluctant candidate. With correspondence from Vernon Jordan to E.T. Kehrer. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Bowden Being Pushed As Mayor Candidate", February 11, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-11
Author
Coffin, Alex
Description
City Attorney Henry Bowden has been suggested as a possible successor to Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. by a group of downtown business leaders, but Bowden has stated that he does not want the job and is a reluctant candidate. With correspondence from Vernon Jordan to E.T. Kehrer. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civic leaders, African American businesspeople, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A copy of a newspaper clipping profiling John Lewis. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Where Are They Now? Lewis of SNCC", February 10, 1969
Date Created
1969-02-10
Description
A copy of a newspaper clipping profiling John Lewis. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A group of five U.S. congressmen from non-urban areas visited Atlanta to learn about urban living and toured Model Cities projects and public housing, while also experiencing the city's best and worst areas. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"U.S. Congressmen Get Look at Best and Worst in City", February 3, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-03
Description
A group of five U.S. congressmen from non-urban areas visited Atlanta to learn about urban living and toured Model Cities projects and public housing, while also experiencing the city's best and worst areas. 2 pages.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records