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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Newspaper op-ed commending John R. Lewis for his long-time commitment to achieving civil rights for minority voters in the South, despite brutal and violent attempts to oppose civil rights efforts. The writer recognized Lewis as a civil rights icon who fought for equality and justice in the 1960s. Lewis was arrested 40 times and endured violence, but never gave up. Lewis also served as the Executive Director of the Voter Education Project where he continued to fight for social change. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Courage Won the Victory", August 2, 1976
Date Created
1976-08-02
Description
Newspaper op-ed commending John R. Lewis for his long-time commitment to achieving civil rights for minority voters in the South, despite brutal and violent attempts to oppose civil rights efforts. The writer recognized Lewis as a civil rights icon who fought for equality and justice in the 1960s. Lewis was arrested 40 times and endured violence, but never gave up. Lewis also served as the Executive Director of the Voter Education Project where he continued to fight for social change. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing John R. Lewis's statements at the Institute on Nonviolence and Social Change, where he argued that the philosophy of nonviolence was still important years after the civil rights movement's end. He said that nonviolence was an "ongoing process" towards the building of a community of justice and peace, and that the nonviolent movement of the 1960s was merely a bridge over troubled waters. 1 page
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Civil Rights Leader Says Nonviolence Still Needed", July 28, 1976
Date Created
1976-07-28
Description
Newspaper article describing John R. Lewis's statements at the Institute on Nonviolence and Social Change, where he argued that the philosophy of nonviolence was still important years after the civil rights movement's end. He said that nonviolence was an "ongoing process" towards the building of a community of justice and peace, and that the nonviolent movement of the 1960s was merely a bridge over troubled waters. 1 page
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing two Southern politicians, Bob Bullock of Texas and Zell Miller of Georgia, public support of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Bullock stated that the law was working and protecting the right to vote, while Miller stated that it should be extended to the entire nation. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Good Old Boys in the New South", November 30, 1975
Date Created
1975-11-30
Description
Newspaper article describing two Southern politicians, Bob Bullock of Texas and Zell Miller of Georgia, public support of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Bullock stated that the law was working and protecting the right to vote, while Miller stated that it should be extended to the entire nation. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing Georgia Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller's calls for all states to be brought under the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Miller said that the act, which was passed to ensure that all Americans, regardless of race, creed, or color, are not discriminated against at the polls, was only applied to seven states, including Georgia and Texas. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Zell Miller Vows Campaign To Make U.S. Voting Rights Act Nationwide", November 27, 1975
Date Created
1975-11-27
Description
Newspaper article describing Georgia Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller's calls for all states to be brought under the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Miller said that the act, which was passed to ensure that all Americans, regardless of race, creed, or color, are not discriminated against at the polls, was only applied to seven states, including Georgia and Texas. 1 page.
Subject
Political campaigns, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing Lt. Gov. Zell Miller of Georgia's praise of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 for increasing voter registration and the number of Black elected officials in the South. However, he criticized Congress for not applying the law uniformly to all 50 states. Miller said that the law should be extended to all states, not just the South and states with large Spanish-speaking populations. He argued that it was discriminatory to apply the law to some states but not to others. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Miller in Texas, Praises Voting Act", November 24, 1975
Date Created
1975-11-24
Description
Newspaper article describing Lt. Gov. Zell Miller of Georgia's praise of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 for increasing voter registration and the number of Black elected officials in the South. However, he criticized Congress for not applying the law uniformly to all 50 states. Miller said that the law should be extended to all states, not just the South and states with large Spanish-speaking populations. He argued that it was discriminatory to apply the law to some states but not to others. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing President Ford's signing of a seven-year extension of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, despite warnings from some political advisers that it could harm his conservative image in the South. The legislation was passed by Congress over the objections of some Southern lawmakers, who argued that it was punitive and unfairly regional in scope. Ford's decision to sign the bill was praised by civil rights leaders, who said it was a victory for democracy. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Ford in Publicity Glare For Voter Rights Signing", August 7, 1975
Date Created
1975-08-07
Description
Newspaper article describing President Ford's signing of a seven-year extension of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, despite warnings from some political advisers that it could harm his conservative image in the South. The legislation was passed by Congress over the objections of some Southern lawmakers, who argued that it was punitive and unfairly regional in scope. Ford's decision to sign the bill was praised by civil rights leaders, who said it was a victory for democracy. 1 page.
Subject
Presidents, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing Lt. Gov. Zell Miller of Georgia's calls for voting law changes that would increase voter registration and turnout. He specifically called for a switch to voter registration by mail, polling places to be open until 9 p.m., the mandated purge of voting lists to be expanded or eliminated, and ballots to be simplified. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Miller Asks Voting Reforms", August 6, 1975
Date Created
1975-08-06
Description
Newspaper article describing Lt. Gov. Zell Miller of Georgia's calls for voting law changes that would increase voter registration and turnout. He specifically called for a switch to voter registration by mail, polling places to be open until 9 p.m., the mandated purge of voting lists to be expanded or eliminated, and ballots to be simplified. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing the U.S. Senate voting down of an amendment to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that would have expanded the law to all 50 states. The amendment was proposed by Sen. Herman Talmadge, who argued that the law should be applied to all areas of the country where minority voting participation has been low. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Expanded Vote Act Refused by Senate", July 23, 1975
Date Created
1975-07-23
Description
Newspaper article describing the U.S. Senate voting down of an amendment to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that would have expanded the law to all 50 states. The amendment was proposed by Sen. Herman Talmadge, who argued that the law should be applied to all areas of the country where minority voting participation has been low. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article discussing Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield's efforts to to secure a 10-year extension of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, despite Southern pushback from Sens. James Allen and Jesse Helms, who tried to block the bill from being debated. Mansfield warned that the Senate would "confront the issue" if such tactics continued to be used. The updated bill would expand the law to cover Mexican-Americans and other language minority groups. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Voting Act Extension Is Pressed", July 19, 1975
Date Created
1975-07-19
Description
Newspaper article discussing Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield's efforts to to secure a 10-year extension of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, despite Southern pushback from Sens. James Allen and Jesse Helms, who tried to block the bill from being debated. Mansfield warned that the Senate would "confront the issue" if such tactics continued to be used. The updated bill would expand the law to cover Mexican-Americans and other language minority groups. 2 pages.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article discussing Voter Education Project (VEP) Director John R. Lewis's calls for a permanent and national voting rights law to replace the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which was set to expire. Lewis argued that it was demeaning for minorities to have to petition the government for renewal of their constitutional rights on a periodic basis. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"VEP Calls For Permanent Voting Rights Law", March 22-28, 1975
Date Created
1975-03
Description
Newspaper article discussing Voter Education Project (VEP) Director John R. Lewis's calls for a permanent and national voting rights law to replace the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which was set to expire. Lewis argued that it was demeaning for minorities to have to petition the government for renewal of their constitutional rights on a periodic basis. 2 pages.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing Congressman Andrew Young urging of Congress to extend and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was set to expire. Young, who participated in the voting rights movement in Selma, Alabama, ten years prior, presented a documentary film on the voting rights movement to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Renew, Strengthen Voting Act, Young Urges Congress", March 8, 1975
Date Created
1975-03
Description
Newspaper article describing Congressman Andrew Young urging of Congress to extend and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was set to expire. Young, who participated in the voting rights movement in Selma, Alabama, ten years prior, presented a documentary film on the voting rights movement to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis and Coretta Scott-King walk across Edmund Pettis Bridge on the ten-year anniversary of Selma's Bloody Sunday.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis Marches in Selma With Coretta Scott King, 1975
Date Created
1975
Description
John R. Lewis and Coretta Scott-King walk across Edmund Pettis Bridge on the ten-year anniversary of Selma's Bloody Sunday.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Gerald Blessey talks to an audience of people during his political campaign.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Gerald Blessey Speaks to People During His Political Campaign, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
Gerald Blessey talks to an audience of people during his political campaign.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Gerald Blessey talks to a group of young people during his political campaign.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Gerald Blessey Speaks With a Group of Young Voters, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
Gerald Blessey talks to a group of young people during his political campaign.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis poses for a photo with a group of people following a speaking engagement.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis Poses for a Photo With a Group of People, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
John R. Lewis poses for a photo with a group of people following a speaking engagement.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A group of VEP workers talk, while one of the workers writes down notes.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Group of VEP Workers Talk, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
A group of VEP workers talk, while one of the workers writes down notes.
Subject
African American civic rights workers, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A woman reads a speech at a podium.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Woman Reads a Speech to a Small Crowd, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
A woman reads a speech at a podium.
Subject
African American civic rights workers, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis addresses a small crowd of people.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis Addresses a Small Crowd, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
John R. Lewis addresses a small crowd of people.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Three men talk while one of them writes down notes.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Three Men Talk at a Table, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
Three men talk while one of them writes down notes.
Subject
African American civic rights workers, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis speaks at a panel event.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis Gives a Speech, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
John R. Lewis speaks at a panel event.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records