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.

For:
  • Subjects = Women--Societies and clubs
League of Women Voters Education Fund brochure "Removing Administrative Obstacles to Voting" which guides communities on the obstacles to voting with attached memo to John Lewis. 11 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Materials for the August 15 Meeting in Washington" which includes drafts of the memorandum to local and state league Presidents, and pre-election guide to removing administrative obstacles to voting. 38 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Charlene Haykel and Members of the Election Systems Project Program Committee with invitation to the convention and reports of the committee meeting and "Hypothetical Case: Rural County". 5 pages.
Proposed agenda, Conference on Expanding the Electorate-Administrative Obstacles to Voting August 1-2, 1972 detailing schedule of events and programs. 2 pages.
Correspondence between Mr. John Lewis and Mrs. Bruce B. Benson celebrating the League of Women Voters Education Fund receiving a grant of $139,800. 1 page.
Proposal to The Ford Foundation for $139,000 for A Follow-Up Action Program on Election Systems Project presented by the League of Women Voters Education fund. 20 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The L.Q.C. Lamar Society Third Annual Symposium Redevelopment of the Rural South: Prelude to a More Humane Urban South agenda and conference registration pamphlet. 3 pages.
An Invitation Strategy Conference "Removing Administrative Obstacles to Voting" with summary on the conference, arrangements, and list of participants. 4 pages.
Agenda Strategic Conference on "Removing Administrative Obstacles to Voting" which includes location, schedule, and description of events. 2 pages.
Correspondence between Fay Williams and Members of the Election Systems Project Program Committee with enclosed draft of the Report of the League of Women Voters Education Fund. 22 pages.
Correspondence between John Lewis and Constance S. Sparbel discussing obtaining Mr. Lewis' mailing list. 1 page.
Correspondence between Mrs. Mary Ellen Ludlum and John Lewis thanking Mrs. Toussaint for offering to distribute copies of their direct appeal letter. 1 page.
Correspondence between Mrs. John Toussaint and John Lewis thanking Mrs. Toussaint for offering to distribute copies of their direct appeal letter. 1 page.
Correspondence between Mrs. John Toussaint and John Lewis discussing how the League does not give out membership lists for fundraising purposes. 1 page.
Correspondence between Mr. John Lewis and Nancy N. Masterton discussion of board policy on not sharing membership list. 1 page.
Correspondence Between Mr. Lewis and Mrs. Marvin Tomber declining request for membership list as it goes against the League's policy. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence between Mr. John Lewis and Nancy D. Jones discussing board declining request to send membership list. 1 page.
Correspondence between James Lewis and Mrs. James Cary discussion of board policy on not sharing membership list and declining request. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence between Mr. John Lewis and Mrs. Robert K. Moxon discussing board declining request to send membership list. 1 page.
Correspondence between John Lewis and Roberta Bradbury discussion of board policy on not sharing membership list and declining request. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records