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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Fourteen organizations in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights have urged the Senate to reject President Reagan's nominees for the U.S. Civil Rights Commission and protect the commission's independence from political influence, due to concerns that the nominees share Reagan's opposition to hiring goals, quotas, and busing as remedies for discrimination. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Rights Groups Oppose Reagan", 1983
Date Created
1983
Description
Fourteen organizations in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights have urged the Senate to reject President Reagan's nominees for the U.S. Civil Rights Commission and protect the commission's independence from political influence, due to concerns that the nominees share Reagan's opposition to hiring goals, quotas, and busing as remedies for discrimination. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Outline and notes on voter targeting, on how to maximize the effectiveness of campaigning with few resources. 9 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Targeting the Voters Notes and Outline, circa 1985
Date Created
1982/1988
Description
Outline and notes on voter targeting, on how to maximize the effectiveness of campaigning with few resources. 9 pages.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
State Rep. Hosea Williams, whose 1981 conviction on charges of leaving the scene of an auto accident was overturned, is establishing a legal defense organization to represent poor, young people wrongfully convicted, and the proceeds from his book "The Cure Is The Ill" will go to this organization. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Hosea Williams Announces Legal Fund", circa 1985
Date Created
1982/1987
Description
State Rep. Hosea Williams, whose 1981 conviction on charges of leaving the scene of an auto accident was overturned, is establishing a legal defense organization to represent poor, young people wrongfully convicted, and the proceeds from his book "The Cure Is The Ill" will go to this organization. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African American civil rights worker, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Social conditions, Crime, African American teenagers
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article about how Black voters voted majority for Wyche Fowler for 5th Congressional District. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Blacks Voted 71 Percent for Fowler in 5th" December 9, 1982
Date Created
1982-12-09
Description
Article about how Black voters voted majority for Wyche Fowler for 5th Congressional District. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on 35 Black officials to meet with the state's only Black pollster to discuss informing the community to keep them involved in active political participation to get results. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Officials, Pollster to Discuss Political Issues", December 9, 1982
Date Created
1982-12-09
Description
Article on 35 Black officials to meet with the state's only Black pollster to discuss informing the community to keep them involved in active political participation to get results. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article about how Black voters voted majority for Wyche Fowler for 5th Congressional District. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Atlantans voted 2 to 1 for Rep. Fowler", December 7, 1982
Date Created
1982-12-07
Description
Article about how Black voters voted majority for Wyche Fowler for 5th Congressional District. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Voter Education Project analyzed the results of the runoff for the U.S. Fifth District Congressional seat in Atlanta, finding that Black voters overwhelmingly supported White incumbent Wyche Fowler, disproving the idea that a majority of Black registered voters guarantee a Black victor, and also revealing that the higher the income level, the higher the percentage of votes approving the sales tax referendum. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Blacks Vote 71 Percent for Whites in U.S. Fifth, Income Level Decides Sales Tax Voting", December 3, 1982
Date Created
1982--12-03
Description
The Voter Education Project analyzed the results of the runoff for the U.S. Fifth District Congressional seat in Atlanta, finding that Black voters overwhelmingly supported White incumbent Wyche Fowler, disproving the idea that a majority of Black registered voters guarantee a Black victor, and also revealing that the higher the income level, the higher the percentage of votes approving the sales tax referendum. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article about how whites voted majority for the Republican nominee Bob Bell over Democrat Harris. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Whites Two to One Bell, Blacks 95 Percent for Harris", November 13, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-13
Description
Article about how whites voted majority for the Republican nominee Bob Bell over Democrat Harris. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on the about the gain of Black public officials in Alabama, including legislators, judges, sheriffs, superintendents and circuit clerks. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Blacks Elected to Office in State at Record Number", November 11, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-11
Description
Article on the about the gain of Black public officials in Alabama, including legislators, judges, sheriffs, superintendents and circuit clerks. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders, Political participation
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
"State increase of Black officials is ranked No.1," about the gain of Black public officials in Alabama, along with clippings "Black mayors plan meeting in Birmingham", March 18, 1982, and "Small towns revived by big city 'refugees'", February 8, 1976. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"State Increase of Black Officials is Ranked No.1", November 10, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-10
Description
"State increase of Black officials is ranked No.1," about the gain of Black public officials in Alabama, along with clippings "Black mayors plan meeting in Birmingham", March 18, 1982, and "Small towns revived by big city 'refugees'", February 8, 1976. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing how white Georgians went to the polls at more than twice the rate of Blacks for the runoff for the Republican nominee for the U.S. Fifth District Congressional seat. Whites voted 58% for the black nominee in the Republican primary runoff, while Blacks cast 95% of their votes for Jones. Voter turnout was light, with less than one percent of the registered voters going to the polls. From these results, VEP urged citizens to actively participate in the upcoming general election. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, November 10, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-10
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing how white Georgians went to the polls at more than twice the rate of Blacks for the runoff for the Republican nominee for the U.S. Fifth District Congressional seat. Whites voted 58% for the black nominee in the Republican primary runoff, while Blacks cast 95% of their votes for Jones. Voter turnout was light, with less than one percent of the registered voters going to the polls. From these results, VEP urged citizens to actively participate in the upcoming general election. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Demographic surveys
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on the low percentage of voter turnout for GOP runoff elections and a VEP study on how Black voters were a very low percentage of that small group. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Just 2 Percent of Voters to Decide 5th District GOP Runoff", November 9, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-09
Description
Article on the low percentage of voter turnout for GOP runoff elections and a VEP study on how Black voters were a very low percentage of that small group. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on the low percentage of voter turnout for GOP runoff elections and a VEP study on how Black voters were a very low percentage of that small group. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"GOP Runoff May Get Just a 2 Percent Vote", November 9, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-09
Description
Article on the low percentage of voter turnout for GOP runoff elections and a VEP study on how Black voters were a very low percentage of that small group. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"City commission term may be over before court decides on McLean suit", and "This time out, Black voters got their message across", articles on Jack McLean's delayed trial hearing and how increased Black voting turnout helped elect more Black political leaders and flip parties in some elections. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"City Commission Term May Be Over Before Court Decides on McLean Suit", November 8, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-08
Description
"City commission term may be over before court decides on McLean suit", and "This time out, Black voters got their message across", articles on Jack McLean's delayed trial hearing and how increased Black voting turnout helped elect more Black political leaders and flip parties in some elections. 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders, Political participation, Voting, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Blacks gain in General Assembly", and "Big voter turnout laid to 3 factors", news clippings with routing slip. 5 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Blacks Gain in General Assembly", November 5, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-05
Description
"Blacks gain in General Assembly", and "Big voter turnout laid to 3 factors", news clippings with routing slip. 5 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Mary Miles, the newly elected representative of South Carolina House District 93, aims to work with all people, regardless of race or wealth, to heal the district's wounds and serve the needs of her constituents in the General Assembly. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Victorious Mary Miles Pledges to Work for All People", November 4, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-04
Description
Mary Miles, the newly elected representative of South Carolina House District 93, aims to work with all people, regardless of race or wealth, to heal the district's wounds and serve the needs of her constituents in the General Assembly. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns, Political participation, African American women
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study conducted by the VEP Research Department, which found that almost half of registered Atlantans went to the polls in the general election. The Democratic Governor-Elect received two thirds of the votes in the City of Atlanta, a higher percentage than he received statewide. White Atlantans voted two to one for the Republican nominee, Bob Bell, while Black voters put Atlanta in Harris' column by voting 95% for the Democratic nominee. The 48% turnout was about 12% higher than for the primary elections, but VEP wanted to see a higher turnout. There remained still a 20% gap between the Black voting age population who registered and the white voting age population who registered to vote. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, November 4, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-04
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study conducted by the VEP Research Department, which found that almost half of registered Atlantans went to the polls in the general election. The Democratic Governor-Elect received two thirds of the votes in the City of Atlanta, a higher percentage than he received statewide. White Atlantans voted two to one for the Republican nominee, Bob Bell, while Black voters put Atlanta in Harris' column by voting 95% for the Democratic nominee. The 48% turnout was about 12% higher than for the primary elections, but VEP wanted to see a higher turnout. There remained still a 20% gap between the Black voting age population who registered and the white voting age population who registered to vote. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Demographic surveys
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on how Paul Jones won the congressional nomination because of White voter turnout. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"White Votes Aid Jones Win", November 11, 1982
Date Created
1982-11
Description
Article on how Paul Jones won the congressional nomination because of White voter turnout. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, a coalition of 160 national organizations advocating for civil rights, released its Voting Record for the 97th Congress, showing that five Senators and 61 Representatives had a perfect voting record, while seven Senators and 27 Representatives consistently voted against civil rights issues; the report highlights the successes and challenges faced in advancing civil rights legislation and emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and coalition efforts to protect past accomplishments and promote equality of opportunity for all citizens. 24 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Leadership Conference Issues Voting Record for 97th Congress", October 25, 1982
Date Created
1982-10-25
Description
The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, a coalition of 160 national organizations advocating for civil rights, released its Voting Record for the 97th Congress, showing that five Senators and 61 Representatives had a perfect voting record, while seven Senators and 27 Representatives consistently voted against civil rights issues; the report highlights the successes and challenges faced in advancing civil rights legislation and emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and coalition efforts to protect past accomplishments and promote equality of opportunity for all citizens. 24 pages.
Subject
Associations, institutions, etc., African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records