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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  • Geographic Location = Georgia--Atlanta
  • Subjects = Political participation
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing statistical analysis of the Democratic Primary election for the office of Governor in Atlanta by VEP researchers, which found that there was a negligible difference between the way Black and white Atlantans voted for the candidates which received the highest percentages of votes in the city. The only Black candidate, Mildred Glover, had 3% of the Black votes and less than 1% of the white votes. The analysis also found that there was a 20% gap between the Black and white voting age population in Atlanta, and that Black voter turnout was lower than white voter turnout. From the results of the study, VEP urged citizens to carefully study the candidates before going to the polls and carefully cast their votes. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, August 20, 1982
Date Created
1982-08-20
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing statistical analysis of the Democratic Primary election for the office of Governor in Atlanta by VEP researchers, which found that there was a negligible difference between the way Black and white Atlantans voted for the candidates which received the highest percentages of votes in the city. The only Black candidate, Mildred Glover, had 3% of the Black votes and less than 1% of the white votes. The analysis also found that there was a 20% gap between the Black and white voting age population in Atlanta, and that Black voter turnout was lower than white voter turnout. From the results of the study, VEP urged citizens to carefully study the candidates before going to the polls and carefully cast their votes. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Demographic surveys
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing VEP Executive Director Geraldine G. Thompson's leadership in a Senate Judiciary Committee Vote, in which the Committee voted 17-1 to approve the Dole-DeConcini compromise of the Voting Rights Act. Geraldine G. Thompson, Executive Director of the Voter Education Project, Inc., hailed the vote as a "resounding victory" for the civil rights community. She urged the Full Senate to swiftly and unanimously pass the bill, calling it an "expression of support for constitutional rights" and a "giant step towards truly making this one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, May 4, 1982
Date Created
1982-05-04
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing VEP Executive Director Geraldine G. Thompson's leadership in a Senate Judiciary Committee Vote, in which the Committee voted 17-1 to approve the Dole-DeConcini compromise of the Voting Rights Act. Geraldine G. Thompson, Executive Director of the Voter Education Project, Inc., hailed the vote as a "resounding victory" for the civil rights community. She urged the Full Senate to swiftly and unanimously pass the bill, calling it an "expression of support for constitutional rights" and a "giant step towards truly making this one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, African American leadership
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The General Election of 1982, Fulton County, study examines the impact of racial and regional voting behaviors on the race for governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state. 15 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The General Election of Fulton County, 1982
Date Created
1982
Author
Brimah, K. Farouk
Description
The General Election of 1982, Fulton County, study examines the impact of racial and regional voting behaviors on the race for governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state. 15 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Politics and government, Voting, African Americans--Civil rights, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on the large percentage of Black voters in the South, especially Georgia, and how voter education and registration drives will target the state to make the most out of the minority vote. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Georgia Called Target for Black Registration Drive", circa 1982
Date Created
1981/1983
Description
Article on the large percentage of Black voters in the South, especially Georgia, and how voter education and registration drives will target the state to make the most out of the minority vote. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study conducted by K. Farouk Brimah and Richard A. Hudl. of the Voter Education Project, which found that blacks alone provided enough votes to elect Andrew Young as mayor of Atlanta in the 1981 runoff election. Blacks cast 88% of their votes for Young, while whites cast an even higher percentage of their votes for white candidates than they did in the October 6 election. The study also found that Atlantans could be mobilized, as turnout was higher in the runoff than in the October 6 election. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, November 4, 1981
Date Created
1981-11-04
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study conducted by K. Farouk Brimah and Richard A. Hudl. of the Voter Education Project, which found that blacks alone provided enough votes to elect Andrew Young as mayor of Atlanta in the 1981 runoff election. Blacks cast 88% of their votes for Young, while whites cast an even higher percentage of their votes for white candidates than they did in the October 6 election. The study also found that Atlantans could be mobilized, as turnout was higher in the runoff than in the October 6 election. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, African American leadership
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
This report discusses the historical barriers faced by Blacks and other minorities in their attempts to participate effectively in electoral processes, including registration, voting, candidacy, physical and economic intimidation, fair and effective representation, and the impact of the Voting Rights Act. It outlines specific obstacles within each of these areas, including a lack of interest or affirmative action by officials to encourage minority participation, inconvenient locations or times for registration and voting, inadequate minority personnel, insufficient information about policies and procedures, restrictions on third party or independent candidates, and physical and economic intimidation. 10 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Barriers to Effective Participation in Electoral Politics", VEP Report, 1981
Date Created
1981
Description
This report discusses the historical barriers faced by Blacks and other minorities in their attempts to participate effectively in electoral processes, including registration, voting, candidacy, physical and economic intimidation, fair and effective representation, and the impact of the Voting Rights Act. It outlines specific obstacles within each of these areas, including a lack of interest or affirmative action by officials to encourage minority participation, inconvenient locations or times for registration and voting, inadequate minority personnel, insufficient information about policies and procedures, restrictions on third party or independent candidates, and physical and economic intimidation. 10 pages.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation, Race discrimination, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
This text describes political participation and representation of African Americans in the southern region of the United States in the 1980s, including data on voter registration and turnout, voting preferences, and the number of Black elected officials at various levels of government. 32 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"What Happened in the South", 1980, VEP Report, 1981
Date Created
1981
Description
This text describes political participation and representation of African Americans in the southern region of the United States in the 1980s, including data on voter registration and turnout, voting preferences, and the number of Black elected officials at various levels of government. 32 pages.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A study conducted by the Voter Education Project revealed that 95 percent of Black registered voters in the South who turned out for the November 4th election voted for Jimmy Carter, with percentages ranging from 92 percent to 97 percent, while President-elect Reagan was estimated to have won only 2 to 6 percent of the total Black votes cast. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"95 Percent of Black Registered Voters Voted for Jimmy Carter", December 12, 1980
Date Created
1980-12-12
Description
A study conducted by the Voter Education Project revealed that 95 percent of Black registered voters in the South who turned out for the November 4th election voted for Jimmy Carter, with percentages ranging from 92 percent to 97 percent, while President-elect Reagan was estimated to have won only 2 to 6 percent of the total Black votes cast. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Black voter participation by state. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Black Voter Participation, November 4, 1980
Date Created
1980-11-04
Description
Black voter participation by state. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
List, notes, and flowchart of VEP research projects for 1980-1981. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Major VEP Research Projects, 1980
Date Created
1980
Description
List, notes, and flowchart of VEP research projects for 1980-1981. 3 pages.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A study by the Voter Education Project found that Southern Blacks overwhelmingly voted for President Carter in the 1980 presidential election, with 92-97% of Black voters in 11 Southern states supporting him, although 2-6% of Black voters who supported Ronald Reagan were enough to provide the winning margin in two Southern states. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Blacks in the South Voted 9 to 1 for Carter", 1980
Date Created
1980
Description
A study by the Voter Education Project found that Southern Blacks overwhelmingly voted for President Carter in the 1980 presidential election, with 92-97% of Black voters in 11 Southern states supporting him, although 2-6% of Black voters who supported Ronald Reagan were enough to provide the winning margin in two Southern states. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Chart of voting age estimates (in thousands) for eleven southern states for selected years from 1960-1980. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voting Age Estimates for Eleven Southern States, 1980
Date Created
1980
Description
Chart of voting age estimates (in thousands) for eleven southern states for selected years from 1960-1980. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Estimates of Black participation in the November 1980 presidential election for eleven Southern states. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Southern States Black Voter Estimate Chart, 1980
Date Created
1980
Description
Estimates of Black participation in the November 1980 presidential election for eleven Southern states. 2 pages.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Estimate of Black and of total participation in the November, 1980 Presidential election in eleven southern states, table with state and voter information. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Southern States Overall Voter Estimate Chart, 1980
Date Created
1980
Description
Estimate of Black and of total participation in the November, 1980 Presidential election in eleven southern states, table with state and voter information. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Estimated Voter Registration in the South as of November 1980 with counts by state. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Estimated Voter Registration in the South, 1980
Date Created
1980
Description
Estimated Voter Registration in the South as of November 1980 with counts by state. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Chart of Black elected officials as of December, 1980 in selected offices of eleven southern states. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Black Elected Officials as of December, 1980
Date Created
1980
Description
Chart of Black elected officials as of December, 1980 in selected offices of eleven southern states. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The 5th District council race in Atlanta between incumbent Morris Finley and challenger Hosea Williams has been marked by accusations of improper tactics and mudslinging, with Williams relying on theatrics to win and Finley focusing on his record, while Williams paints him as a tool of the downtown business power structure and a slumlord, and the two face a runoff election after a laborious recount that failed to produce a winner. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Finley, Williams Go Through the Mill to Get to 5th District Runoff", by Katheryn Hayes, circa 1980
Date Created
1977/1983
Description
The 5th District council race in Atlanta between incumbent Morris Finley and challenger Hosea Williams has been marked by accusations of improper tactics and mudslinging, with Williams relying on theatrics to win and Finley focusing on his record, while Williams paints him as a tool of the downtown business power structure and a slumlord, and the two face a runoff election after a laborious recount that failed to produce a winner. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Political participation, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Eight candidates, including Fulton County Commissioner Reginald Eaves, have qualified to run for mayor in the upcoming Atlanta election, with the qualifying period ending on Thursday, and the only poll that matters to the candidates is the one on Oct 6. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Eaves, 3 More Qualify in October Mayoral Election", by T. L. Wells, circa 1980
Date Created
1977/1983
Description
Eight candidates, including Fulton County Commissioner Reginald Eaves, have qualified to run for mayor in the upcoming Atlanta election, with the qualifying period ending on Thursday, and the only poll that matters to the candidates is the one on Oct 6. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Political participation, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on VEP head John Lewis reported that Black voters in 11 Southern states turned out at a rate of 60 to 70 per cent and provided the decisive margin of victory for President-elect Jimmy Carter and several congressional candidates, marking the most significant exercise of minority political power of the century. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Blacks Gave Carter Victory in South", November 8, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-08
Description
Article on VEP head John Lewis reported that Black voters in 11 Southern states turned out at a rate of 60 to 70 per cent and provided the decisive margin of victory for President-elect Jimmy Carter and several congressional candidates, marking the most significant exercise of minority political power of the century. 1 page.
Subject
African American civil rights workers, Voting, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release stating that in the 1976 US Presidential election, the southern Black vote was a decisive and influential exercise of minority political power, providing President-elect Jimmy Carter with the margin of victory across the South, with the exception of Virginia, and electing numerous Black candidates to local and state offices. 4 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Black Voter Turnout for Jimmy Carter Presidential Race, November 7, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-07
Description
Press release stating that in the 1976 US Presidential election, the southern Black vote was a decisive and influential exercise of minority political power, providing President-elect Jimmy Carter with the margin of victory across the South, with the exception of Virginia, and electing numerous Black candidates to local and state offices. 4 pages.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records