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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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
"More Blacks are turning to the politics of frustration", "Federal workers await voter registration rule", and "Rev. Jesse Jackson and his "tribal politics". 6 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"More Blacks are Turning to the Politics of Frustration", July 15, 1984
Date Created
1984-07-15
Description
"More Blacks are turning to the politics of frustration", "Federal workers await voter registration rule", and "Rev. Jesse Jackson and his "tribal politics". 6 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Voter registration, Race discrimination, 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
Jesse Jackson criticized the United States' "arrogance" in Central America during his second major foreign trip of his Democratic presidential campaign, finding support among Mexican government officials for his condemnation of President Reagan's Central American policies and peace plan, which emphasizes negotiation and dialogue rather than force and monologue, and calls for ending military aid to El Salvador, normalizing relations with Cuba, ending support for anti-Sandinista rebels in Nicaragua, and ending U.S. military involvement or assistance in Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Jackson's Attacks on Reagan Wins Mexican Leaders", May 29, 1984
Date Created
1984-05-29
Description
Jesse Jackson criticized the United States' "arrogance" in Central America during his second major foreign trip of his Democratic presidential campaign, finding support among Mexican government officials for his condemnation of President Reagan's Central American policies and peace plan, which emphasizes negotiation and dialogue rather than force and monologue, and calls for ending military aid to El Salvador, normalizing relations with Cuba, ending support for anti-Sandinista rebels in Nicaragua, and ending U.S. military involvement or assistance in Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, International relations, Political campaigns
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
"Discrimination Hearing Set", "DeKalb awaiting justice review of vote legislation", and " A Sumter County non-solution". 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Discrimination Hearing Set", "Dekalb Awaiting Justice Review of Vote Legislation", May 24, 1984
Date Created
1984-05-24
Description
"Discrimination Hearing Set", "DeKalb awaiting justice review of vote legislation", and " A Sumter County non-solution". 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Race discrimination, Dispute Resolution
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study of the May 8 presidential primary in North Carolina, which found that the Black vote was crucial to Jesse Jackson's strong showing, and it also provided the critical edge Walter Mondale needed to beat Gary Hart in the overall voting. Hart came in first by a very slim margin among white voters, but Mondale received 13.5% of the Black vote, which was fifteen times greater than the 0.9% of the Black vote that went to Hart. Jackson received 84.2% of the Black vote, with the remaining 1.4% going to other candidates or uncommitted. The Black vote was also crucial because the crossover vote by Blacks was almost twice as great as the crossover vote by whites. 15.6% of the Blacks voting cast their ballots for a white candidate, whereas only 8.6% of the whites voted for the Black candidate. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, May 15, 1984
Date Created
1984-05-15
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study of the May 8 presidential primary in North Carolina, which found that the Black vote was crucial to Jesse Jackson's strong showing, and it also provided the critical edge Walter Mondale needed to beat Gary Hart in the overall voting. Hart came in first by a very slim margin among white voters, but Mondale received 13.5% of the Black vote, which was fifteen times greater than the 0.9% of the Black vote that went to Hart. Jackson received 84.2% of the Black vote, with the remaining 1.4% going to other candidates or uncommitted. The Black vote was also crucial because the crossover vote by Blacks was almost twice as great as the crossover vote by whites. 15.6% of the Blacks voting cast their ballots for a white candidate, whereas only 8.6% of the whites voted for the Black candidate. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Demographic surveys
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Black-voter registration and turnout has increased dramatically in the past year, with some of the highest increases occurring in the South, and while Rev. Jesse L. Jackson's presidential candidacy is often credited with this phenomenon, analysts argue that the Reagan Administration's policies, particularly its effort to weaken the Voting Rights Act, played a significant role in spurring voter registration drives and increasing Black voter turnout. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Registration Drive Preceded Jackson's", May 6, 1984
Date Created
1984-05-06
Description
Black-voter registration and turnout has increased dramatically in the past year, with some of the highest increases occurring in the South, and while Rev. Jesse L. Jackson's presidential candidacy is often credited with this phenomenon, analysts argue that the Reagan Administration's policies, particularly its effort to weaken the Voting Rights Act, played a significant role in spurring voter registration drives and increasing Black voter turnout. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Jesse Jackson's presidential campaign in the 1980s has led to a revival of Black political interest in the South, with high Black voter registration and turnout inspiring many Blacks to run for office in unusually high numbers and giving them hope that the power of the vote will be recognized in local races for city councils, county commissions, sheriff, mayoral and congressional seats. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Jackson's Loading of Bandwagon Buoys Hopes of Black Candidates", April 25, 1984
Date Created
1984-04-25
Description
Jesse Jackson's presidential campaign in the 1980s has led to a revival of Black political interest in the South, with high Black voter registration and turnout inspiring many Blacks to run for office in unusually high numbers and giving them hope that the power of the vote will be recognized in local races for city councils, county commissions, sheriff, mayoral and congressional seats. 1 page.
Subject
Political campaigns, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Black voter registration has increased almost 2-to-1 compared to White voter registration in the past 18 months in North Carolina's 2nd Congressional District, potentially giving state Rep. Kenneth B. Spaulding, a Black candidate, an advantage in his bid to defeat the White incumbent, I.T. "Tim" Valentine, for the Democratic nomination in the upcoming primary election, where Black voters are expected to turn out in large numbers, spurred by Jesse L. Jackson's presidential candidacy. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"New Black Voters Outnumber Whites Nearly 2 to 1", April 18, 1984
Date Created
1984-04-18
Description
Black voter registration has increased almost 2-to-1 compared to White voter registration in the past 18 months in North Carolina's 2nd Congressional District, potentially giving state Rep. Kenneth B. Spaulding, a Black candidate, an advantage in his bid to defeat the White incumbent, I.T. "Tim" Valentine, for the Democratic nomination in the upcoming primary election, where Black voters are expected to turn out in large numbers, spurred by Jesse L. Jackson's presidential candidacy. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Atlanta City Council adopts legislation, prompted by the ACLU, to end racial and gender discrimination in several Atlanta gay bars, requiring establishments selling alcohol to make a good faith effort to ascertain legal drinking age and to post a notice at the point of entry reading, "You may be requested to show no more than one currently valid picture of identification with name and date affixed as issued by any agency of government". 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"New Anti-Discrimination Law Passes in Atlanta", February 1984
Date Created
1984-02
Description
The Atlanta City Council adopts legislation, prompted by the ACLU, to end racial and gender discrimination in several Atlanta gay bars, requiring establishments selling alcohol to make a good faith effort to ascertain legal drinking age and to post a notice at the point of entry reading, "You may be requested to show no more than one currently valid picture of identification with name and date affixed as issued by any agency of government". 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Sexual minorities
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Increase and Impact: Black participation in Southern politics, 1984", and "Project votes reaches the poor". 8 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Increase and Impact: Black Participation in Southern Politics, 1984", Summer 1984
Date Created
1984
Description
"Increase and Impact: Black participation in Southern politics, 1984", and "Project votes reaches the poor". 8 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Political participation, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Doonesbury comic pointing out how Ronald Reagan running for president spurred may Blacks to register to vote. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Reagan Comic Strip, 1984
Date Created
1984
Description
Doonesbury comic pointing out how Ronald Reagan running for president spurred may Blacks to register to vote. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Renita Jimmar, a 23-year-old supervisor for American Telephone and Telegraph, became Leighton's first Black mayor-elect after winning the July 10 election with 230 votes, defeating the incumbent Eugene Boatwright, and plans to work on improving the town's recreational facilities for young people and obtaining federal funds for housing, water, and sewer improvements. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"She Has to Bone Up as New Head of Leighton", 1984
Date Created
1984
Description
Renita Jimmar, a 23-year-old supervisor for American Telephone and Telegraph, became Leighton's first Black mayor-elect after winning the July 10 election with 230 votes, defeating the incumbent Eugene Boatwright, and plans to work on improving the town's recreational facilities for young people and obtaining federal funds for housing, water, and sewer improvements. 1 page.
Subject
African American mayors, African Americans--Social conditions, Voting, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Making Democracy Work" brochure expressing the history, actions, and goals of the VEP.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Making Democracy Work" VEP Brochure, circa 1988
Date Created
1983/1993
Description
"Making Democracy Work" brochure expressing the history, actions, and goals of the VEP.
Subject
Associations, institutions, etc., Voter registration, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
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