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
Birmingham city officials are taking steps to address women's issues in local government, with the appointment of a new staff member, Mary Alice Jones, and the creation of a women's commission, in response to campaign promises and discussions with women's groups, aimed at institutionalizing fair treatment and sensitivity towards the special problems faced by women and their families. 4 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Atlanta NAACP Lobbying Network Newsletter, February 19, 1983
Date Created
1983-02-19
Description
Birmingham city officials are taking steps to address women's issues in local government, with the appointment of a new staff member, Mary Alice Jones, and the creation of a women's commission, in response to campaign promises and discussions with women's groups, aimed at institutionalizing fair treatment and sensitivity towards the special problems faced by women and their families. 4 pages.
Subject
African American women, African Americans--Politics and government, African American families
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project featuring the Voter Education Project's calls on South Carolinians to contact their Senators and encourage them to support the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. VEP also announced a Contemporary Voting Rights Conference on February 20 at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. The conference was to provide information and resources on the Voting Rights Act, redistricting, and reapportionment. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, February 5, 1982
Date Created
1983-02-05
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project featuring the Voter Education Project's calls on South Carolinians to contact their Senators and encourage them to support the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. VEP also announced a Contemporary Voting Rights Conference on February 20 at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. The conference was to provide information and resources on the Voting Rights Act, redistricting, and reapportionment. 1 page.
Subject
Meetings, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, Voter registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Six Tift County voters are filing a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Valdosta, challenging the county's at-large methods of electing members to the county commission and county board of education, alleging that the present at-large system of voting discriminates against Black voters in Tift County, and asking the court to establish election districts to choose members of the two bodies. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Suit Challenges Tift's Method of Elections", January 20, 1983
Date Created
1983-01-20
Description
Six Tift County voters are filing a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Valdosta, challenging the county's at-large methods of electing members to the county commission and county board of education, alleging that the present at-large system of voting discriminates against Black voters in Tift County, and asking the court to establish election districts to choose members of the two bodies. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Race discrimination, African Americans--Civil rights, Dispute Resolution
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Fourteen organizations in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights have urged the Senate to reject President Reagan's nominees for the U.S. Civil Rights Commission and protect the commission's independence from political influence, due to concerns that the nominees share Reagan's opposition to hiring goals, quotas, and busing as remedies for discrimination. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Rights Groups Oppose Reagan", 1983
Date Created
1983
Description
Fourteen organizations in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights have urged the Senate to reject President Reagan's nominees for the U.S. Civil Rights Commission and protect the commission's independence from political influence, due to concerns that the nominees share Reagan's opposition to hiring goals, quotas, and busing as remedies for discrimination. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on 35 Black officials to meet with the state's only Black pollster to discuss informing the community to keep them involved in active political participation to get results. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Officials, Pollster to Discuss Political Issues", December 9, 1982
Date Created
1982-12-09
Description
Article on 35 Black officials to meet with the state's only Black pollster to discuss informing the community to keep them involved in active political participation to get results. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on the about the gain of Black public officials in Alabama, including legislators, judges, sheriffs, superintendents and circuit clerks. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Blacks Elected to Office in State at Record Number", November 11, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-11
Description
Article on the about the gain of Black public officials in Alabama, including legislators, judges, sheriffs, superintendents and circuit clerks. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Voter Education Project analyzed the runoff for the Republican nominee for the U.S. Fifth District Congressional seat and found that White Georgians voted at more than twice the rate of Blacks, resulting in a majority of Whites actually voting for the Black Republican nominee Paul Jones, who would have lost if he had received less than 40% of the White vote; voter turnout was light, with less than one percent of the registered voters going to the polls, and more than two thirds of those at the polls being White. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"White Georgians Provide Victory for Black Congressional Candidate", November 10, 1982
Date Created
1982--11-10
Description
The Voter Education Project analyzed the runoff for the Republican nominee for the U.S. Fifth District Congressional seat and found that White Georgians voted at more than twice the rate of Blacks, resulting in a majority of Whites actually voting for the Black Republican nominee Paul Jones, who would have lost if he had received less than 40% of the White vote; voter turnout was light, with less than one percent of the registered voters going to the polls, and more than two thirds of those at the polls being White. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, Voting, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"State increase of Black officials is ranked No.1," about the gain of Black public officials in Alabama, along with clippings "Black mayors plan meeting in Birmingham", March 18, 1982, and "Small towns revived by big city 'refugees'", February 8, 1976. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"State Increase of Black Officials is Ranked No.1", November 10, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-10
Description
"State increase of Black officials is ranked No.1," about the gain of Black public officials in Alabama, along with clippings "Black mayors plan meeting in Birmingham", March 18, 1982, and "Small towns revived by big city 'refugees'", February 8, 1976. 1 page.
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 discussing how white Georgians went to the polls at more than twice the rate of Blacks for the runoff for the Republican nominee for the U.S. Fifth District Congressional seat. Whites voted 58% for the black nominee in the Republican primary runoff, while Blacks cast 95% of their votes for Jones. Voter turnout was light, with less than one percent of the registered voters going to the polls. From these results, VEP urged citizens to actively participate in the upcoming general election. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, November 10, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-10
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing how white Georgians went to the polls at more than twice the rate of Blacks for the runoff for the Republican nominee for the U.S. Fifth District Congressional seat. Whites voted 58% for the black nominee in the Republican primary runoff, while Blacks cast 95% of their votes for Jones. Voter turnout was light, with less than one percent of the registered voters going to the polls. From these results, VEP urged citizens to actively participate in the upcoming general election. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Demographic surveys
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"City commission term may be over before court decides on McLean suit", and "This time out, Black voters got their message across", articles on Jack McLean's delayed trial hearing and how increased Black voting turnout helped elect more Black political leaders and flip parties in some elections. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"City Commission Term May Be Over Before Court Decides on McLean Suit", November 8, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-08
Description
"City commission term may be over before court decides on McLean suit", and "This time out, Black voters got their message across", articles on Jack McLean's delayed trial hearing and how increased Black voting turnout helped elect more Black political leaders and flip parties in some elections. 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders, Political participation, Voting, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Blacks gain in General Assembly", and "Big voter turnout laid to 3 factors", news clippings with routing slip. 5 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Blacks Gain in General Assembly", November 5, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-05
Description
"Blacks gain in General Assembly", and "Big voter turnout laid to 3 factors", news clippings with routing slip. 5 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Mary Miles, the newly elected representative of South Carolina House District 93, aims to work with all people, regardless of race or wealth, to heal the district's wounds and serve the needs of her constituents in the General Assembly. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Victorious Mary Miles Pledges to Work for All People", November 4, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-04
Description
Mary Miles, the newly elected representative of South Carolina House District 93, aims to work with all people, regardless of race or wealth, to heal the district's wounds and serve the needs of her constituents in the General Assembly. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns, Political participation, African American women
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study conducted by the VEP Research Department, which found that almost half of registered Atlantans went to the polls in the general election. The Democratic Governor-Elect received two thirds of the votes in the City of Atlanta, a higher percentage than he received statewide. White Atlantans voted two to one for the Republican nominee, Bob Bell, while Black voters put Atlanta in Harris' column by voting 95% for the Democratic nominee. The 48% turnout was about 12% higher than for the primary elections, but VEP wanted to see a higher turnout. There remained still a 20% gap between the Black voting age population who registered and the white voting age population who registered to vote. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, November 4, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-04
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study conducted by the VEP Research Department, which found that almost half of registered Atlantans went to the polls in the general election. The Democratic Governor-Elect received two thirds of the votes in the City of Atlanta, a higher percentage than he received statewide. White Atlantans voted two to one for the Republican nominee, Bob Bell, while Black voters put Atlanta in Harris' column by voting 95% for the Democratic nominee. The 48% turnout was about 12% higher than for the primary elections, but VEP wanted to see a higher turnout. There remained still a 20% gap between the Black voting age population who registered and the white voting age population who 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 a study conducted by Richard A. Hudlin and K. Farouk Brimah, which found that had voter turnout been higher in the runoff election for Governor in the City of Atlanta, the outcome of the election would have been changed by Atlanta voters alone. White Atlantans provided Ginn with a small edge, but Blacks voted two to one for Ginn. The study also found that a 20% gap existed between the voting age Black population and the white voting age population in Atlanta, and that a 20% difference also existed between Black citizens who registered and white citizens who registered. According to VEP, a population figure of two whites resulted in as many votes as three Blacks. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, September 14, 1982
Date Created
1982-09-14
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project a study conducted by Richard A. Hudlin and K. Farouk Brimah, which found that had voter turnout been higher in the runoff election for Governor in the City of Atlanta, the outcome of the election would have been changed by Atlanta voters alone. White Atlantans provided Ginn with a small edge, but Blacks voted two to one for Ginn. The study also found that a 20% gap existed between the voting age Black population and the white voting age population in Atlanta, and that a 20% difference also existed between Black citizens who registered and white citizens who registered. According to VEP, a population figure of two whites resulted in as many votes as three Blacks. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Demographic surveys
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on Bond's decision not to run for Congress due to possible funding issues, opting for the more reliable outcome of his Senate seat. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Bond's Choice Hides Seed of Hope", September 9, 1982
Date Created
1982-09-09
Description
Article on Bond's decision not to run for Congress due to possible funding issues, opting for the more reliable outcome of his Senate seat. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Political participation, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
An analysis showed that there was little difference between the way Black and White Atlantans voted for the candidates with the highest percentages of votes in the city, and despite a 20% gap between the Black and White voting age population, one third of those registered to vote actually went to the polls, with Norman Underwood and Jack Watson receiving the highest percentages of votes. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, August 20, 1982
Date Created
1982--08-20
Description
An analysis showed that there was little difference between the way Black and White Atlantans voted for the candidates with the highest percentages of votes in the city, and despite a 20% gap between the Black and White voting age population, one third of those registered to vote actually went to the polls, with Norman Underwood and Jack Watson receiving the highest percentages of votes. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, Voting, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing statistical analysis of the Democratic Primary election for the office of Governor in Atlanta by VEP researchers, which found that there was a negligible difference between the way Black and white Atlantans voted for the candidates which received the highest percentages of votes in the city. The only Black candidate, Mildred Glover, had 3% of the Black votes and less than 1% of the white votes. The analysis also found that there was a 20% gap between the Black and white voting age population in Atlanta, and that Black voter turnout was lower than white voter turnout. From the results of the study, VEP urged citizens to carefully study the candidates before going to the polls and carefully cast their votes. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, August 20, 1982
Date Created
1982-08-20
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing statistical analysis of the Democratic Primary election for the office of Governor in Atlanta by VEP researchers, which found that there was a negligible difference between the way Black and white Atlantans voted for the candidates which received the highest percentages of votes in the city. The only Black candidate, Mildred Glover, had 3% of the Black votes and less than 1% of the white votes. The analysis also found that there was a 20% gap between the Black and white voting age population in Atlanta, and that Black voter turnout was lower than white voter turnout. From the results of the study, VEP urged citizens to carefully study the candidates before going to the polls and carefully cast their votes. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Demographic surveys
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP press release on how eleven southern states now have a Black population of 27% or higher, which could lead to better representation in government positions. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
1980 Black Voter Population Press Release, May 14, 1982
Date Created
1982-05-14
Description
VEP press release on how eleven southern states now have a Black population of 27% or higher, which could lead to better representation in government positions. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release on how the Voter Education Project found that one-third of counties in eleven southern states had a Black population of 27% or higher in 1980, with opportunities for voter registration and turnout activities. Mississippi had the most Black majority counties, and South Carolina had the highest percentage of counties with 27% or higher Black populations. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Voter Increase for 1980s", May 14, 1982
Date Created
1982-05-14
Description
Press release on how the Voter Education Project found that one-third of counties in eleven southern states had a Black population of 27% or higher in 1980, with opportunities for voter registration and turnout activities. Mississippi had the most Black majority counties, and South Carolina had the highest percentage of counties with 27% or higher Black populations. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Opinion article on the importance of the Voting Rights Act and how it affirms the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Voting Act Mustn't Fail", May 13, 1982
Date Created
1982-05-13
Description
Opinion article on the importance of the Voting Rights Act and how it affirms the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records