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 article discussing a Virginia election in which the Democratic organization narrowly beat out the liberal opposition to retain party control in the state. The Democratic Party of Virginia held its state convention in Salem, which was marked by a tense showdown between the Democratic Organization and liberal forces. The Organization retained its hold on the state party chairmanship, with Watkins M. Abbitt being re-elected to a second four-year term. The unit rule, which would have required Virginia's entire 54 votes to be cast in a bloc as the majority decided, was defeated in the convention's Resolutions Committee. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Abbitt Retains Chair; Unit Rule Voted Out", July 28, 1968
Date Created
1968-07-28
Description
Newspaper article discussing a Virginia election in which the Democratic organization narrowly beat out the liberal opposition to retain party control in the state. The Democratic Party of Virginia held its state convention in Salem, which was marked by a tense showdown between the Democratic Organization and liberal forces. The Organization retained its hold on the state party chairmanship, with Watkins M. Abbitt being re-elected to a second four-year term. The unit rule, which would have required Virginia's entire 54 votes to be cast in a bloc as the majority decided, was defeated in the convention's Resolutions Committee. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A flyer from the NAACP and VEP promoting time and place for voting registration. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Action for Freedom, Register to Vote", June 14, 1969
Date Created
1969--06-14
Description
A flyer from the NAACP and VEP promoting time and place for voting registration. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Political posters, Voter registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping regarding a Democratic primary election in Mobile, Alabama. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Activity Becomes More Intensive As Election Date Approaches", April 4, 1964
Date Created
1964-04-04
Description
A newspaper clipping regarding a Democratic primary election in Mobile, Alabama. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A copy of a speech given by Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach at the Emancipation Day Ceremonies discussing civil rights, discrimination, and civic participation. 8 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Address by Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach, January 2, 1966
Date Created
1966-01-02
Description
A copy of a speech given by Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach at the Emancipation Day Ceremonies discussing civil rights, discrimination, and civic participation. 8 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, Race discrimination, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
List of administrative and legal barriers to minority political participation, which was included in the VEP's "Election Notebook." In the past, minorities in the Southern states faced a number of barriers to registering to vote and voting, including purges and reregistration, discriminatory location of polling places, intimidation and exclusion of minority poll workers, and legal barriers such as at-large voting requirements and malapportioned election districts. These barriers made it difficult for minorities to participate in the political process and undermined their right to vote. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Administrative and Legal Barriers to Minority Political Participation, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
List of administrative and legal barriers to minority political participation, which was included in the VEP's "Election Notebook." In the past, minorities in the Southern states faced a number of barriers to registering to vote and voting, including purges and reregistration, discriminatory location of polling places, intimidation and exclusion of minority poll workers, and legal barriers such as at-large voting requirements and malapportioned election districts. These barriers made it difficult for minorities to participate in the political process and undermined their right to vote. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing a meeting of the Afro-Exonian Society to "exchange notes and viewpoints about certain topics, primarily the racial situation." 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"AES, Vietnam Symposium Held Over Weekend", May 22, 1968
Date Created
1968-05-22
Description
A newspaper clipping describing a meeting of the Afro-Exonian Society to "exchange notes and viewpoints about certain topics, primarily the racial situation." 2 pages.
Subject
Race relations, Race discrimination, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Street view of AFSCME headquarters.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
AFSCME Headquarters, circa 1977
Date Created
1975/1979
Description
Street view of AFSCME headquarters.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Buildings and grounds
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing barriers to voter registration in Wilcox County, Alabama. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Again, Wilcox County, Alabama", April 11, 1964
Date Created
1964-04-11
Description
A newspaper clipping describing barriers to voter registration in Wilcox County, Alabama. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Race discrimination, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Agenda Strategic Conference on "Removing Administrative Obstacles to Voting" which includes location, schedule, and description of events. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Agenda Strategic Conference on "Removing Administrative Obstacles to Voting", April 17, 1972
Date Created
1972-04-17
Description
Agenda Strategic Conference on "Removing Administrative Obstacles to Voting" which includes location, schedule, and description of events. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Women--Societies and clubs, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping referencing two articles, outlined in red. The first article (center) describes a meeting of the Alabama Democratic Conference in which they condemn Governor George Wallace's racism. The other article, entitled "State Political Leaders Meet," references the annual meeting of the Alabama State Coordinating Association for Registration and Voting and a presentation by the Voter Education Project. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Ala. Negro Democrats Hit Wallace in 2-day Session", April 18, 1964
Date Created
1964-04-18
Description
A newspaper clipping referencing two articles, outlined in red. The first article (center) describes a meeting of the Alabama Democratic Conference in which they condemn Governor George Wallace's racism. The other article, entitled "State Political Leaders Meet," references the annual meeting of the Alabama State Coordinating Association for Registration and Voting and a presentation by the Voter Education Project. 2 pages.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political campaigns, Political participation, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Articles and photos from "Speakin' Out News" on the Alabama Democratic Conference. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Alabama Democratic Conference Semi-Annual Convention Held in Tuscaloosa, Alabama" March 24-April 13, 1982
Date Created
1982-03
Description
Articles and photos from "Speakin' Out News" on the Alabama Democratic Conference. 2 pages.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, African Americans--Civil rights, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping quoting U.S. Assistant Attorney General Burke Marshall and discussing the enactment of civil rights legislation. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Alabama in Sad Shape, Marshall", May 15, 1964
Date Created
1964-05-15
Description
A newspaper clipping quoting U.S. Assistant Attorney General Burke Marshall and discussing the enactment of civil rights legislation. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Report written by Marvin Wall detailing voter turnout in Alabama state elections.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Alabama Trip Report, 1966
Date Created
1966
Description
Report written by Marvin Wall detailing voter turnout in Alabama state elections.
Subject
Voting, Voter Registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Calendar of important election registration dates, organized by month, in Alabama. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Alabama Voting Registrars Calendar, June 27, 1962
Date Created
1962-06-27
Description
Calendar of important election registration dates, organized by month, in Alabama. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing the rejection of an Alabama state constitutional amendment. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Alabamans Defeat Vote Amendments", December 12, 1963
Date Created
1963-12-12
Description
A newspaper clipping describing the rejection of an Alabama state constitutional amendment. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Written on verso: Alberta Horton.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Alberta Horton, circa 1948
Date Created
1947/1949
Description
Written on verso: Alberta Horton.
Subject
African American women, African American artists, Portraits and people
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Written on verso: Alice Gufford.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Alice Gufford, circa 1950
Date Created
1945/1955
Description
Written on verso: Alice Gufford.
Subject
African American women, African American artists, Portraits and people
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing the successes of the All Citizens Registration Committee. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"All Citizens Drive Signs Up 1,500 New Voters in Atlanta", circa 1965
Date Created
1960/1970
Description
A newspaper clipping describing the successes of the All Citizens Registration Committee. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, African Americans--Civil rights, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping with an article describing a forum held by the Fulton County Democratic party regarding an all Black primary. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"All-Negro Primary Comes Under Fire", April 25, 1969
Date Created
1969-04-25
Description
A newspaper clipping with an article describing a forum held by the Fulton County Democratic party regarding an all Black primary. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. has compiled a list of 12 qualities he believes his successor should have, including a commitment to eliminating racial discrimination, willingness to make difficult decisions, ability to cooperate with other governments, and determination to continue programs to rebuild deteriorating parts of the city, among other qualities. Vernon Jordan, head of the Southern Regional Council's Voter Education Project and a former advisor to President Bill Clinton, expressed his interest in the political scene in his hometown of Atlanta after his name was inadvertently left off a list of mayoral candidates being discussed. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Allen Gives List of Qualities He Thinks Mayor Should Have", January 20, 1969
Date Created
1969--01-20
Author
Coffin, Alex
Description
Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. has compiled a list of 12 qualities he believes his successor should have, including a commitment to eliminating racial discrimination, willingness to make difficult decisions, ability to cooperate with other governments, and determination to continue programs to rebuild deteriorating parts of the city, among other qualities. Vernon Jordan, head of the Southern Regional Council's Voter Education Project and a former advisor to President Bill Clinton, expressed his interest in the political scene in his hometown of Atlanta after his name was inadvertently left off a list of mayoral candidates being discussed. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civic leaders, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records