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.
64 Objects displayed
AllCollectionsObjects
  1. Browse Repository
  2. Archival Collections
  3. Voter Education Project Organizational Records
For:
  • Subjects = Voting
  • Geographic Location = Georgia--Atlanta
  • Subjects = African Americans--Politics and government
Flyer for the 20th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Selma to Montgomery, 20 Years Later", 1985
Date Created
1985
Description
Flyer for the 20th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The article discusses the primary runoff system in Southern US states and its potential impact on Black voters, as well as its effectiveness in promoting consensus-building and preventing rule by cliques, but also its drawbacks such as increased costs and a proliferation of candidates. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Reviewing the Runoff System", July 15, 1983
Date Created
1983-07-15
Description
The article discusses the primary runoff system in Southern US states and its potential impact on Black voters, as well as its effectiveness in promoting consensus-building and preventing rule by cliques, but also its drawbacks such as increased costs and a proliferation of candidates. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Voter Education Project analyzed the runoff for the Republican nominee for the U.S. Fifth District Congressional seat and found that White Georgians voted at more than twice the rate of Blacks, resulting in a majority of Whites actually voting for the Black Republican nominee Paul Jones, who would have lost if he had received less than 40% of the White vote; voter turnout was light, with less than one percent of the registered voters going to the polls, and more than two thirds of those at the polls being White. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"White Georgians Provide Victory for Black Congressional Candidate", November 10, 1982
Date Created
1982--11-10
Description
The Voter Education Project analyzed the runoff for the Republican nominee for the U.S. Fifth District Congressional seat and found that White Georgians voted at more than twice the rate of Blacks, resulting in a majority of Whites actually voting for the Black Republican nominee Paul Jones, who would have lost if he had received less than 40% of the White vote; voter turnout was light, with less than one percent of the registered voters going to the polls, and more than two thirds of those at the polls being White. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, Voting, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
An analysis showed that there was little difference between the way Black and White Atlantans voted for the candidates with the highest percentages of votes in the city, and despite a 20% gap between the Black and White voting age population, one third of those registered to vote actually went to the polls, with Norman Underwood and Jack Watson receiving the highest percentages of votes. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, August 20, 1982
Date Created
1982--08-20
Description
An analysis showed that there was little difference between the way Black and White Atlantans voted for the candidates with the highest percentages of votes in the city, and despite a 20% gap between the Black and White voting age population, one third of those registered to vote actually went to the polls, with Norman Underwood and Jack Watson receiving the highest percentages of votes. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, Voting, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP press release on how eleven southern states now have a Black population of 27% or higher, which could lead to better representation in government positions. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
1980 Black Voter Population Press Release, May 14, 1982
Date Created
1982-05-14
Description
VEP press release on how eleven southern states now have a Black population of 27% or higher, which could lead to better representation in government positions. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release on how the Voter Education Project found that one-third of counties in eleven southern states had a Black population of 27% or higher in 1980, with opportunities for voter registration and turnout activities. Mississippi had the most Black majority counties, and South Carolina had the highest percentage of counties with 27% or higher Black populations. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Voter Increase for 1980s", May 14, 1982
Date Created
1982-05-14
Description
Press release on how the Voter Education Project found that one-third of counties in eleven southern states had a Black population of 27% or higher in 1980, with opportunities for voter registration and turnout activities. Mississippi had the most Black majority counties, and South Carolina had the highest percentage of counties with 27% or higher Black populations. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Opinion article on the importance of the Voting Rights Act and how it affirms the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Voting Act Mustn't Fail", May 13, 1982
Date Created
1982-05-13
Description
Opinion article on the importance of the Voting Rights Act and how it affirms the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights
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
Press release on a study of the 1981 Atlanta Municipal elections by the Voter Education Project shows that Blacks alone provided enough votes to elect Andrew Young on October 27. Blacks won all four municipal elections in majority Black constituencies, and whites cast an even higher percentage of their votes for white candidates. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Votes for Andrew Young", November 4, 1981
Date Created
1981-11-04
Description
Press release on a study of the 1981 Atlanta Municipal elections by the Voter Education Project shows that Blacks alone provided enough votes to elect Andrew Young on October 27. Blacks won all four municipal elections in majority Black constituencies, and whites cast an even higher percentage of their votes for white candidates. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release on how the VEP found that in the October 6, 1981 City of Atlanta municipal elections, four white candidates won in majority Black districts and all three elections in majority white districts, while Black mayoral candidates received 57% of the total vote and the highest percentage (58%) of registered voters cast ballots in the mayoral election. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"White Candidates Winning Elections in Majority Black Districts", October 23, 1981
Date Created
1981-10-23
Description
Press release on how the VEP found that in the October 6, 1981 City of Atlanta municipal elections, four white candidates won in majority Black districts and all three elections in majority white districts, while Black mayoral candidates received 57% of the total vote and the highest percentage (58%) of registered voters cast ballots in the mayoral election. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting, Political science
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
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