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 = Voting
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
VEP flyer emphasizing the importance of voting. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Don't Crush Your Chances for Change", circa 1983
Date Created
1980/1986
Description
VEP flyer emphasizing the importance of voting. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Political posters, Voter registration, Voting
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
Press release on how 95% of Black registered voters in the South who turned out in the 1980 presidential election voted for Jimmy Carter, with a range of 92-97% in different states. Ronald Reagan won only 82,000 Black votes, ranging from 2-6% of the total Black vote. The study found that socioeconomic differences among Southern Blacks did not significantly affect their voting behavior. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Voter Participation in 1980 Presidential Election", December 12, 1980
Date Created
1980-12-12
Description
Press release on how 95% of Black registered voters in the South who turned out in the 1980 presidential election voted for Jimmy Carter, with a range of 92-97% in different states. Ronald Reagan won only 82,000 Black votes, ranging from 2-6% of the total Black vote. The study found that socioeconomic differences among Southern Blacks did not significantly affect their voting behavior. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting, Political science
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
Report on the VEP being dedicated to promoting participatory democracy among minorities in the southern states, where historical discrimination has excluded Blacks and Chicanos from government processes, and seeks to increase minority political participation through various means such as voter registration, advocacy, research, and public support, despite facing challenges from those in power who view it as a threat to the status quo, and aims to eliminate barriers to minority political power through persistent organizing efforts and financial resources, with the ultimate goal of achieving unrestricted minority political participation for the benefit of future generations. 22 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Barriers to Minority Political Progress in the South" by Archie E. Allen, circa 1981
Date Created
1978/1984
Description
Report on the VEP being dedicated to promoting participatory democracy among minorities in the southern states, where historical discrimination has excluded Blacks and Chicanos from government processes, and seeks to increase minority political participation through various means such as voter registration, advocacy, research, and public support, despite facing challenges from those in power who view it as a threat to the status quo, and aims to eliminate barriers to minority political power through persistent organizing efforts and financial resources, with the ultimate goal of achieving unrestricted minority political participation for the benefit of future generations. 22 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Voting, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on how the Voter Education Project plans to challenge Georgia's system of one-man county governments in 24 out of the state�s 159 counties through meetings with local government officials to discuss adding more members to their commissions, with the possibility of filing a federal lawsuit. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"One Man County Rule Under Fire", circa 1980
Date Created
1977/1983
Description
Article on how the Voter Education Project plans to challenge Georgia's system of one-man county governments in 24 out of the state�s 159 counties through meetings with local government officials to discuss adding more members to their commissions, with the possibility of filing a federal lawsuit. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Speech delivered to the Hungry Club Forum of Atlanta by Vivian M. Jones regarding the VEP.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Speech Delivered to the Hungry Club Forum, October 19, 1977
Date Created
1977-10-19
Description
Speech delivered to the Hungry Club Forum of Atlanta by Vivian M. Jones regarding the VEP.
Subject
Speeches, African American civic leaders, Voting, Voter registration
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
This manual, compiled under a grant from the Voter Education Project (VEP), provides a list of significant election law changes in Georgia cities and counties since the effective date of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, with information on the status of legislation under Section 5 and limitations of the study, serving as a guide for notable changes in city and county election systems in Georgia, while recommending further consultation with the Federal Review of Voting Changes for questions about the mechanics of Section 5. 12 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Election Law Changes in Cities and Counties in Georgia", May 1976
Date Created
1976-05
Description
This manual, compiled under a grant from the Voter Education Project (VEP), provides a list of significant election law changes in Georgia cities and counties since the effective date of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, with information on the status of legislation under Section 5 and limitations of the study, serving as a guide for notable changes in city and county election systems in Georgia, while recommending further consultation with the Federal Review of Voting Changes for questions about the mechanics of Section 5. 12 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination, Voting, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A Beginners Notebook on Political Participation, by VEP and the Interdenominational Theological Center Rural Black Church and Community Leadership Training Program, Illustrated by Avery Miller. 23 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"A Beginners Notebook on Political Participation", March 1976
Date Created
1976-03
Description
A Beginners Notebook on Political Participation, by VEP and the Interdenominational Theological Center Rural Black Church and Community Leadership Training Program, Illustrated by Avery Miller. 23 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Voting, African American churches
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A resolution by the Atlanta City Council urging the United States Congress to permanently extend the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which eliminated literacy tests and other barriers to the ballot, increased Black registration and the number of Black elected officials in the South, and insured meaningful participation in registration and voting. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Resolution Urging Congress to Permanently Extend Voting Rights Act, January 1975
Date Created
1975-01
Description
A resolution by the Atlanta City Council urging the United States Congress to permanently extend the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which eliminated literacy tests and other barriers to the ballot, increased Black registration and the number of Black elected officials in the South, and insured meaningful participation in registration and voting. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records