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--Politics and government
Article on how the Voter Education Project plans to file a lawsuit against Pulaski County seeking to abolish the one-member county commission in 24 Georgia counties, arguing that they are unconstitutional and discriminate against minorities. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Anderson Says VEP Lawsuit Has Little Support in Pulaski", December 21, 1983
Date Created
1983-12-21
Description
Article on how the Voter Education Project plans to file a lawsuit against Pulaski County seeking to abolish the one-member county commission in 24 Georgia counties, arguing that they are unconstitutional and discriminate against minorities. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on how Birmingham city officials are taking steps to address women's issues by appointing a new staff member with special responsibilities for women's issues and forming a new women's commission to review concerns relating to women, including family violence problems. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Arrington Fills Staff Post on Women's Issues", December 20, 1983
Date Created
1983-12-20
Description
Article on how Birmingham city officials are taking steps to address women's issues by appointing a new staff member with special responsibilities for women's issues and forming a new women's commission to review concerns relating to women, including family violence problems. 1 page.
Subject
African American women, African Americans--Politics and government, African American families
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Atlanta-based Voter Education Project, led by Charles McCant, plans to challenge a county in federal court by January 14, 1984 in their effort to dismantle "one man governing boards" in Georgia that they deem undemocratic and Nazi-like, with a determination based on the Black voting age population in the targeted county and a focus on examining the racial composition of county boards of education during their tour of five counties from December 12-16. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"One Man County Boards Targeted for Lawsuit", December 8, 1983
Date Created
1983--12-08
Description
The Atlanta-based Voter Education Project, led by Charles McCant, plans to challenge a county in federal court by January 14, 1984 in their effort to dismantle "one man governing boards" in Georgia that they deem undemocratic and Nazi-like, with a determination based on the Black voting age population in the targeted county and a focus on examining the racial composition of county boards of education during their tour of five counties from December 12-16. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civil rights workers, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on Macon Mayor George Israel, and how his coalition building methods has made him popular in both Democratic and Republican Parties. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Macon Mayor Adds Liberal Touch to Reagan Campaign in Georgia", December 4, 1983
Date Created
1983-12-04
Description
Article on Macon Mayor George Israel, and how his coalition building methods has made him popular in both Democratic and Republican Parties. 2 pages.
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 regarding analysis of the Mississippi gubernatorial election, which confirmed that Black voters provided the margin of victory for Democrat Bill Allain. Allain received 46% of the white vote, but 84% of the Black vote. Voter turnout was 48%, with 49% of white registrants and 47% of Black registrants voting. The remaining three candidates in the election received only tiny percentages of the vote. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, November 28, 1983
Date Created
1983-11-28
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding analysis of the Mississippi gubernatorial election, which confirmed that Black voters provided the margin of victory for Democrat Bill Allain. Allain received 46% of the white vote, but 84% of the Black vote. Voter turnout was 48%, with 49% of white registrants and 47% of Black registrants voting. The remaining three candidates in the election received only tiny percentages of the 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
A report by the Voter Education Project reveals that 88 counties across the southern United States have Black majority populations, and 65 of those have Black majorities of voting age, yet only 26% of elected officials are Black, which is attributed to persisting barriers to Black voter registration and participation. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"VEP Report Shows 88 Southern Black Majority Counties: But Political Progress Stalled", November 15, 1983
Date Created
1983--11-15
Description
A report by the Voter Education Project reveals that 88 counties across the southern United States have Black majority populations, and 65 of those have Black majorities of voting age, yet only 26% of elected officials are Black, which is attributed to persisting barriers to Black voter registration and participation. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a report that found that there were 88 counties in the South where Blacks had a majority of the voting age population. However, Blacks only held 26% of the elected offices in these counties. The report attributed this to barriers in Black voter registration and participation, such as inaccessible registration sites, inconvenient hours for registration, and economic threats. The Voter Education Project also announced plans to register 500,000 blacks by the Fall of 1984 in order to increase Black representation in these counties. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, November 15, 1983
Date Created
1983-11-15
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a report that found that there were 88 counties in the South where Blacks had a majority of the voting age population. However, Blacks only held 26% of the elected offices in these counties. The report attributed this to barriers in Black voter registration and participation, such as inaccessible registration sites, inconvenient hours for registration, and economic threats. The Voter Education Project also announced plans to register 500,000 blacks by the Fall of 1984 in order to increase Black representation in these counties. 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 reporting that Black voters in Louisiana played a decisive role in the victory of Governor-elect Edwin Edwards. VEP officials said that Edwards received 93% of the Black vote in the open primary, while Republican incumbent David Treen received only 3.2%. VEP also said that Black voter strength in Louisiana could be increased dramatically by the 1984 elections, as almost 50% of Blacks of voting age in Louisiana were not yet registered to vote. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, November 10, 1983
Date Created
1983-11-10
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project reporting that Black voters in Louisiana played a decisive role in the victory of Governor-elect Edwin Edwards. VEP officials said that Edwards received 93% of the Black vote in the open primary, while Republican incumbent David Treen received only 3.2%. VEP also said that Black voter strength in Louisiana could be increased dramatically by the 1984 elections, as almost 50% of Blacks of voting age in Louisiana were not yet 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
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing Congressman William Gray's shock and dismay at the U.S. military intervention in Grenada. He said that he was assured by the State Department officials that no military intervention would occur, and that he was concerned about the potential for military confrontation with Cuba and the Soviet Union. Gray also criticized the Reagan administration for isolating Grenada, which he said contributed to the instability of the former Grenadian government. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, October 26, 1983
Date Created
1983-10-26
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing Congressman William Gray's shock and dismay at the U.S. military intervention in Grenada. He said that he was assured by the State Department officials that no military intervention would occur, and that he was concerned about the potential for military confrontation with Cuba and the Soviet Union. Gray also criticized the Reagan administration for isolating Grenada, which he said contributed to the instability of the former Grenadian government. 2 pages.
Subject
African American civic leaders, International relations, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Voter Education Project's Twenty-First Anniversary Banquet at the Atlanta Omni International Hotel on October 27, 7:30 P.M., will feature Congressman William H. Gray, III as keynote speaker and honor City Councilman John Lewis with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for his contributions to the struggle for voting rights and increasing Black voter registration, while the Mexican Tourist Industry and American Airlines will sponsor a door prize at the VEP dinner. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, October 24, 1983
Date Created
1983--10-24
Description
The Voter Education Project's Twenty-First Anniversary Banquet at the Atlanta Omni International Hotel on October 27, 7:30 P.M., will feature Congressman William H. Gray, III as keynote speaker and honor City Councilman John Lewis with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for his contributions to the struggle for voting rights and increasing Black voter registration, while the Mexican Tourist Industry and American Airlines will sponsor a door prize at the VEP dinner. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project announcing that the percentage of Blacks in the Southern population stabilized at 19.6%, halting the previous trend of a shrinking Black population percentage. This meant that Southern Blacks stabilized their numerical potential to influence elections. However, VEP Executive Director Geraldine Thompson said that the task of converting this numerical strength into more Black elected officials is a "Sisyphean task without vigorous enforcement of the Voting Rights Act." VEP Research Director Richard A. Hudlin stated that there would be more than six times the number of Southern Black elected officials if Blacks were elected at the same rate as their population percentage. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, October 19, 1982
Date Created
1983-10-19
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project announcing that the percentage of Blacks in the Southern population stabilized at 19.6%, halting the previous trend of a shrinking Black population percentage. This meant that Southern Blacks stabilized their numerical potential to influence elections. However, VEP Executive Director Geraldine Thompson said that the task of converting this numerical strength into more Black elected officials is a "Sisyphean task without vigorous enforcement of the Voting Rights Act." VEP Research Director Richard A. Hudlin stated that there would be more than six times the number of Southern Black elected officials if Blacks were elected at the same rate as their population percentage. 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 on Bill Gray addressing the 21st dinner of the VEP at the Onmi in Atlanta. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Congressman Bill Gray Will Address the 21st Annual Dinner", October 14, 1983
Date Created
1983--10-14
Description
Press release on Bill Gray addressing the 21st dinner of the VEP at the Onmi in Atlanta. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on the Black community grappling with the potential benefits and risks of Jesse L. Jackson's candidacy for President of the United States. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Leaders Agonize as Jesse Jackson Ponders Bid", September 11, 1983
Date Created
1983-09-11
Description
Article on the Black community grappling with the potential benefits and risks of Jesse L. Jackson's candidacy for President of the United States. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing the status of one-person county governing boards in fifteen percent of Georgia counties. The VEP released a study that found that 15% of Georgia's counties had only one person on the county governing board. This undemocratic relic was not found outside Georgia. VEP Research Director Richard A. Hudlin stated that "A one-person board facilitates 'boss rule' and is the ultimate form of at-large elections." Georgia also prohibited election victories by pluralities, meaning that even if a minority candidate won the most votes in an election, they still had to win a runoff election against the second-place finisher in order to be elected. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, July 17, 1983
Date Created
1983-07-17
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing the status of one-person county governing boards in fifteen percent of Georgia counties. The VEP released a study that found that 15% of Georgia's counties had only one person on the county governing board. This undemocratic relic was not found outside Georgia. VEP Research Director Richard A. Hudlin stated that "A one-person board facilitates 'boss rule' and is the ultimate form of at-large elections." Georgia also prohibited election victories by pluralities, meaning that even if a minority candidate won the most votes in an election, they still had to win a runoff election against the second-place finisher in order to be elected. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Demographic surveys
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The article discusses the primary runoff system in Southern US states and its potential impact on Black voters, as well as its effectiveness in promoting consensus-building and preventing rule by cliques, but also its drawbacks such as increased costs and a proliferation of candidates. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Reviewing the Runoff System", July 15, 1983
Date Created
1983-07-15
Description
The article discusses the primary runoff system in Southern US states and its potential impact on Black voters, as well as its effectiveness in promoting consensus-building and preventing rule by cliques, but also its drawbacks such as increased costs and a proliferation of candidates. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project The Voter Education Project (VEP) reporting that the number of voting-age Blacks in the 11 southern states was projected to increase by 14% in 1984. VEP Executive Director Geraldine Thompson said that this increase was due to a variety of factors, including the controversy of a Black presidential candidate, the economic conditions, and the recent victories of Harold Washington and Wilson Goode. VEP Research Director Richard Hudlin said that if financial and organizational support continued for organizations like VEP, there could be nearly five million Black registrants in the region by November 1984. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, June 29, 1983
Date Created
1983-06-29
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project The Voter Education Project (VEP) reporting that the number of voting-age Blacks in the 11 southern states was projected to increase by 14% in 1984. VEP Executive Director Geraldine Thompson said that this increase was due to a variety of factors, including the controversy of a Black presidential candidate, the economic conditions, and the recent victories of Harold Washington and Wilson Goode. VEP Research Director Richard Hudlin said that if financial and organizational support continued for organizations like VEP, there could be nearly five million Black registrants in the region by November 1984. 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 results from a study conducted by VEP's Research Department, which found that one third of the counties in eleven southern states had a 1980 Black population of 27% or higher, according to Voter Education Project, Inc. (VEP). Further, one out of every thirteen counties had Black majority populations. This data showed that there were numerous opportunities for voter registration and voter turnout activities in the South, which could greatly influence southern politics 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, May 14, 1982
Date Created
1983-05-14
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding results from a study conducted by VEP's Research Department, which found that one third of the counties in eleven southern states had a 1980 Black population of 27% or higher, according to Voter Education Project, Inc. (VEP). Further, one out of every thirteen counties had Black majority populations. This data showed that there were numerous opportunities for voter registration and voter turnout activities in the South, which could greatly influence southern politics 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Demographic surveys
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Audio recording a panel discussion on the development of Black involvement and participation in U.S. politics in the 20th century. The speakers discuss the circumstances that have helped secure Black elected officials' victories, focusing particularly on the election of Harold Washington as mayor of Chicago.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Black Involvement in Politics, April 29, 1983
Date Created
1983-04-29
Description
Audio recording a panel discussion on the development of Black involvement and participation in U.S. politics in the 20th century. The speakers discuss the circumstances that have helped secure Black elected officials' victories, focusing particularly on the election of Harold Washington as mayor of Chicago.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Audio recording of a panel discussion regarding the voting patterns of white and Black voters in the United States. The speaker discusses how the Republican and Democratic parties have appealed to both white and Black voters through campaigns to increase membership. The speaker also discusses how bringing Black voters into the fold has helped the Democratic Party increase its political power.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Side 1: D. Goins Panel Discussion 3.45 April 28th, 1983. Side 2: D. Goins
Date Created
1983-04-28
Description
Audio recording of a panel discussion regarding the voting patterns of white and Black voters in the United States. The speaker discusses how the Republican and Democratic parties have appealed to both white and Black voters through campaigns to increase membership. The speaker also discusses how bringing Black voters into the fold has helped the Democratic Party increase its political power.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Audio recording of a panel discussion on the development of Black involvement and participation in U.S. politics in the 20th century. Two Black academics discuss how the specific processes and mechanisms of Congress can both limit and expand Black political power within the government, and how the formation of coalitions within the government provided success for voting rights legislation.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Side One: 4-2 The US Congress and Black Americans 4/28/83, 1:45-3:15
Date Created
1983-04-28
Description
Audio recording of a panel discussion on the development of Black involvement and participation in U.S. politics in the 20th century. Two Black academics discuss how the specific processes and mechanisms of Congress can both limit and expand Black political power within the government, and how the formation of coalitions within the government provided success for voting rights legislation.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records