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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  • Subjects = African Americans--Civil rights
Press release from the Voter Education Project announcing the first Statewide Black Women's Conference on the campus of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday, June 22nd, 1985. The keynote speaker for the conference was set to be former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. The conference was designed to encourage Black women to participate in the political process and to become more involved in local politics. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, May 28, 1985
Date Created
1985-05-28
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project announcing the first Statewide Black Women's Conference on the campus of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday, June 22nd, 1985. The keynote speaker for the conference was set to be former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. The conference was designed to encourage Black women to participate in the political process and to become more involved in local politics. 2 pages.
Subject
Meetings, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American leadership
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding an analysis of the mayoralty and councilmanic elections in College Park, Georgia. The analysis found that there were numerous obstacles to full and fair Black political participation in College Park, including the election date, the location of the polls, and the way registration lists and registration data were maintained. The analysis also found that Blacks were more likely to be purged from the voter rolls than whites. VEP Executive Director Gerri Thompson said that the obstacles in College Park were typical of cities and other jurisdictions throughout the South where Blacks struggled for a fair share of political power. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, May 22, 1985
Date Created
1985-05-22
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding an analysis of the mayoralty and councilmanic elections in College Park, Georgia. The analysis found that there were numerous obstacles to full and fair Black political participation in College Park, including the election date, the location of the polls, and the way registration lists and registration data were maintained. The analysis also found that Blacks were more likely to be purged from the voter rolls than whites. VEP Executive Director Gerri Thompson said that the obstacles in College Park were typical of cities and other jurisdictions throughout the South where Blacks struggled for a fair share of political power. 2 pages.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing how Black candidates for municipal, county, and state offices faced primary and general elections in 1985 throughout the South. There were several important races, including the contest for Lieutenant Governor in Virginia, the mayor's race in Jackson, Mississippi, and municipal elections in Georgia and Alabama under new single-member district election plans. The Voter Education Project (VEP) encouraged Black voters to participate in these elections and to let their power be felt. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, May 7, 1985
Date Created
1985-05-07
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing how Black candidates for municipal, county, and state offices faced primary and general elections in 1985 throughout the South. There were several important races, including the contest for Lieutenant Governor in Virginia, the mayor's race in Jackson, Mississippi, and municipal elections in Georgia and Alabama under new single-member district election plans. The Voter Education Project (VEP) encouraged Black voters to participate in these elections and to let their power be felt. 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 announcing Geraldine G. Thompson's resignation as the Executive Director of the Voter Education Project due to personal reasons. Thompson worked tirelessly to advance the cause of voting rights for African Americans, and her resignation was seen as a loss to the organization. However, VEP was committed to continuing its work, and a search committee was appointed to find Thompson's successor. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, April 30, 1985
Date Created
1985-04-30
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project announcing Geraldine G. Thompson's resignation as the Executive Director of the Voter Education Project due to personal reasons. Thompson worked tirelessly to advance the cause of voting rights for African Americans, and her resignation was seen as a loss to the organization. However, VEP was committed to continuing its work, and a search committee was appointed to find Thompson's successor. 2 pages.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African American leadership, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study, which found that Black voter turnout in Tennessee was significantly lower than white voter turnout in the 1984 presidential election. The study found that only 40% of age-eligible Blacks in Tennessee voted, compared to 50.1% of age-eligible whites. The study also found that Black voters were more likely to vote for Walter Mondale than Ronald Reagan, while white voters were more likely to vote for Reagan. The VEP study suggested that claims that Reagan received as much as 10% or 12% of the Black vote nationwide were questionable. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, March 25, 1985
Date Created
1985-03-25
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study, which found that Black voter turnout in Tennessee was significantly lower than white voter turnout in the 1984 presidential election. The study found that only 40% of age-eligible Blacks in Tennessee voted, compared to 50.1% of age-eligible whites. The study also found that Black voters were more likely to vote for Walter Mondale than Ronald Reagan, while white voters were more likely to vote for Reagan. The VEP study suggested that claims that Reagan received as much as 10% or 12% of the Black vote nationwide were questionable. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study, which found that Black voter turnout in Texas was significantly lower than white voter turnout in the 1984 presidential election. The study found that only 41% of age-eligible Blacks in Texas voted, compared to 57% of age-eligible whites. The study also found that Black voters were more likely to vote for Walter Mondale than Ronald Reagan, while white voters were more likely to vote for Reagan. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, March 21, 1985
Date Created
1985-03-21
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study, which found that Black voter turnout in Texas was significantly lower than white voter turnout in the 1984 presidential election. The study found that only 41% of age-eligible Blacks in Texas voted, compared to 57% of age-eligible whites. The study also found that Black voters were more likely to vote for Walter Mondale than Ronald Reagan, while white voters were more likely to vote for Reagan. 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 regarding a study, which found that Ronald Reagan received less than 1% of the Black vote in Florida in the 1984 presidential election. The study also found that Black voter turnout in Florida was significantly lower than white voter turnout. The study suggested that exit polls released soon after the election overestimated the Black vote for Reagan. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, March 20, 1985
Date Created
1985-03-20
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study, which found that Ronald Reagan received less than 1% of the Black vote in Florida in the 1984 presidential election. The study also found that Black voter turnout in Florida was significantly lower than white voter turnout. The study suggested that exit polls released soon after the election overestimated the Black vote for Reagan. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The 20th Anniversary Commemoration of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March was successful in generating community support and bringing attention to ongoing issues in voter registration and civil rights, with a delegation of Black leaders meeting with Alabama Governor George Wallace to discuss abolishing at-large election schemes, expanding job opportunities for Blacks, and the upcoming trial of the Perry County 3, while a survey conducted by the Black Women's Voter Project of VEP found that over 90% of Black women interviewed said they have seen the need to continue voter registration efforts because of the march. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Reflections on the Selma March and Plans for the Future", March 8, 1985
Date Created
1985--03-08
Description
The 20th Anniversary Commemoration of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March was successful in generating community support and bringing attention to ongoing issues in voter registration and civil rights, with a delegation of Black leaders meeting with Alabama Governor George Wallace to discuss abolishing at-large election schemes, expanding job opportunities for Blacks, and the upcoming trial of the Perry County 3, while a survey conducted by the Black Women's Voter Project of VEP found that over 90% of Black women interviewed said they have seen the need to continue voter registration efforts because of the march. 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African American civic leaders, African American civil rights workers, African American women
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
During 1984, the National Coalition sponsored OPERATION BIG VOTE coalitions in 25 states and the District of Columbia, resulting in the highest ever reported Black voter registration at 66.3 percent, an increase in turnout to 56 percent, and the net gain of 2.5 million voters, with plans to continue nationwide operations in the future. 6 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Operation Big Vote Newsletter, February 27, 1985
Date Created
1985-02-27
Description
During 1984, the National Coalition sponsored OPERATION BIG VOTE coalitions in 25 states and the District of Columbia, resulting in the highest ever reported Black voter registration at 66.3 percent, an increase in turnout to 56 percent, and the net gain of 2.5 million voters, with plans to continue nationwide operations in the future. 6 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Voting, Groups and organizations
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Employee manual of the VEP describing organizational structure, employment, salaries, etc. 24 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Employee Manual, 1985
Date Created
1985
Description
Employee manual of the VEP describing organizational structure, employment, salaries, etc. 24 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Employment, African Americans--Civil rights, African American civil rights workers
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Flyer listing voting locations and voting issues in the special election. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"It is Time for a Change", 1985
Date Created
1985
Description
Flyer listing voting locations and voting issues in the special election. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Political posters, Voter registration, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
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
A brief history of the VEP, with a plan, goals and budget for the program. 11 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Introduction of the VEP with Budget Report, circa 1985
Date Created
1984/1987
Description
A brief history of the VEP, with a plan, goals and budget for the program. 11 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
A Voter Education Project survey reported record numbers of Black voters registered in Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee, with a 16 percent increase in Georgia since 1980, but despite this increase, there are still about 500,000 unregistered Black voters in Georgia, according to Charles McCant, the assistant director of field operations for the Atlanta-based VEP. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"State Drive Hikes Black Voters 16 Percent", November 13, 1984
Date Created
1984-11-13
Description
A Voter Education Project survey reported record numbers of Black voters registered in Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee, with a 16 percent increase in Georgia since 1980, but despite this increase, there are still about 500,000 unregistered Black voters in Georgia, according to Charles McCant, the assistant director of field operations for the Atlanta-based VEP. 1 page.
Subject
Groups and organizations, Voter registration, African American civil rights workers, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study by the Voter Education Project (VEP), which found that Southern congressional representatives were not responsive to Black concerns. The study found that the average Southern representative received a low rating on a Black Concerns Scale, and that there was considerable variation among the states in their degree of responsiveness. The study also found that Republican representatives were much more nonresponsive to Black concerns than Democratic representatives. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, August 28, 1984
Date Created
1984-08-28
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study by the Voter Education Project (VEP), which found that Southern congressional representatives were not responsive to Black concerns. The study found that the average Southern representative received a low rating on a Black Concerns Scale, and that there was considerable variation among the states in their degree of responsiveness. The study also found that Republican representatives were much more nonresponsive to Black concerns than Democratic representatives. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding analysis of four factors that could determine whether the white incumbent in Georgia's Fifth Congressional District would be unseated by one of his four Black challengers. The factors were the Black turnout rate, the white turnout rate, the black crossover rate, and the white crossover rate. The VEP analysis showed that a close election was possible, but a clear win for the incumbent or one of the Black challengers was also possible. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, August 13, 1984
Date Created
1984-08-13
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding analysis of four factors that could determine whether the white incumbent in Georgia's Fifth Congressional District would be unseated by one of his four Black challengers. The factors were the Black turnout rate, the white turnout rate, the black crossover rate, and the white crossover rate. The VEP analysis showed that a close election was possible, but a clear win for the incumbent or one of the Black challengers was also possible. 3 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Demographic surveys
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP research department essay by Brian Sherman, Ph.D. and K. Farouk Brimah on the increase of participation in voting by the Black population in the South, listing states and percentages. 16 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Increase and Impact: Black Participation in Southern Electoral Politics During the First Half of 1984", July
Date Created
1984-07-25
Author
Sherman, Brian, Brimah, K. Farouk
Description
VEP research department essay by Brian Sherman, Ph.D. and K. Farouk Brimah on the increase of participation in voting by the Black population in the South, listing states and percentages. 16 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
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study by the Voter Education Project, which found that Ken Moseley, a Black, won the South Carolina second congressional district primary because of a higher Black turnout rate and a higher Black crossover vote. Moseley received 87% of his votes from Blacks and 13% from whites, while Stevenson received 64% of her votes from whites and 36% from Blacks. The results from the Second Congressional District followed trends observed elsewhere in the south in the 1984 primaries, where Blacks were participating in Democratic primaries at a much higher rate than whites and were having a significant impact on the selection of the party's candidates. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, July 2, 1984
Date Created
1984-07-02
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study by the Voter Education Project, which found that Ken Moseley, a Black, won the South Carolina second congressional district primary because of a higher Black turnout rate and a higher Black crossover vote. Moseley received 87% of his votes from Blacks and 13% from whites, while Stevenson received 64% of her votes from whites and 36% from Blacks. The results from the Second Congressional District followed trends observed elsewhere in the south in the 1984 primaries, where Blacks were participating in Democratic primaries at a much higher rate than whites and were having a significant impact on the selection of the party's candidates. 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 regarding a study of the May 8 gubernatorial primary in North Carolina, which found that Rufus Edmisten was the first choice among white voters, while Edward "Eddie" Knox was the first choice among Black voters. Knox was also second among white voters, while Edmisten was second among Black voters. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, May 29, 1984
Date Created
1984-05-29
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study of the May 8 gubernatorial primary in North Carolina, which found that Rufus Edmisten was the first choice among white voters, while Edward "Eddie" Knox was the first choice among Black voters. Knox was also second among white voters, while Edmisten was second among Black voters. 1 page.
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 regarding a study by the Voter Education Project, which found that Ken Spaulding, a Black challenger, lost the Democratic primary in North Carolina's second congressional district to Tim Valentine, the white incumbent. Spaulding received strong support from Black voters, but he was not able to win over enough white voters outside of Durham County. Valentine received 31.8% of the white vote, which was enough to secure his victory. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, May 27, 1984
Date Created
1984-05-27
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study by the Voter Education Project, which found that Ken Spaulding, a Black challenger, lost the Democratic primary in North Carolina's second congressional district to Tim Valentine, the white incumbent. Spaulding received strong support from Black voters, but he was not able to win over enough white voters outside of Durham County. Valentine received 31.8% of the white vote, which was enough to secure his victory. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Demographic surveys
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records