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.
373 Objects displayed
AllCollectionsObjects
  1. Browse Repository
  2. Archival Collections
  3. Voter Education Project Organizational Records
For:
  • Geographic Location = Georgia--Atlanta
Article about how Black voters voted majority for Wyche Fowler for 5th Congressional District. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Atlantans voted 2 to 1 for Rep. Fowler", December 7, 1982
Date Created
1982-12-07
Description
Article about how Black voters voted majority for Wyche Fowler for 5th Congressional District. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Voter Education Project analyzed the results of the runoff for the U.S. Fifth District Congressional seat in Atlanta, finding that Black voters overwhelmingly supported White incumbent Wyche Fowler, disproving the idea that a majority of Black registered voters guarantee a Black victor, and also revealing that the higher the income level, the higher the percentage of votes approving the sales tax referendum. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Blacks Vote 71 Percent for Whites in U.S. Fifth, Income Level Decides Sales Tax Voting", December 3, 1982
Date Created
1982--12-03
Description
The Voter Education Project analyzed the results of the runoff for the U.S. Fifth District Congressional seat in Atlanta, finding that Black voters overwhelmingly supported White incumbent Wyche Fowler, disproving the idea that a majority of Black registered voters guarantee a Black victor, and also revealing that the higher the income level, the higher the percentage of votes approving the sales tax referendum. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article about how whites voted majority for the Republican nominee Bob Bell over Democrat Harris. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Whites Two to One Bell, Blacks 95 Percent for Harris", November 13, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-13
Description
Article about how whites voted majority for the Republican nominee Bob Bell over Democrat Harris. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voting
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
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
Article on the low percentage of voter turnout for GOP runoff elections and a VEP study on how Black voters were a very low percentage of that small group. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Just 2 Percent of Voters to Decide 5th District GOP Runoff", November 9, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-09
Description
Article on the low percentage of voter turnout for GOP runoff elections and a VEP study on how Black voters were a very low percentage of that small group. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on the low percentage of voter turnout for GOP runoff elections and a VEP study on how Black voters were a very low percentage of that small group. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"GOP Runoff May Get Just a 2 Percent Vote", November 9, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-09
Description
Article on the low percentage of voter turnout for GOP runoff elections and a VEP study on how Black voters were a very low percentage of that small group. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting
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
Article on how Paul Jones won the congressional nomination because of White voter turnout. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"White Votes Aid Jones Win", November 11, 1982
Date Created
1982-11
Description
Article on how Paul Jones won the congressional nomination because of White voter turnout. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on the VEP celebrating their 20th anniversary. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"VEP celebrates 20th Year Here October 21", October 19, 1982
Date Created
1982-10-19
Description
Article on the VEP celebrating their 20th anniversary. 1 page.
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
Article on the VEP taking a break to celebrate the voting rights act and their successes in increasing the Black vote in the South. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Voter Drive Changes the South", October 17, 1982
Date Created
1982-10-17
Description
Article on the VEP taking a break to celebrate the voting rights act and their successes in increasing the Black vote in the South. 1 page.
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
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
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing VEP Executive Director Geraldine G. Thompson's leadership in a Senate Judiciary Committee Vote, in which the Committee voted 17-1 to approve the Dole-DeConcini compromise of the Voting Rights Act. Geraldine G. Thompson, Executive Director of the Voter Education Project, Inc., hailed the vote as a "resounding victory" for the civil rights community. She urged the Full Senate to swiftly and unanimously pass the bill, calling it an "expression of support for constitutional rights" and a "giant step towards truly making this one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, May 4, 1982
Date Created
1982-05-04
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing VEP Executive Director Geraldine G. Thompson's leadership in a Senate Judiciary Committee Vote, in which the Committee voted 17-1 to approve the Dole-DeConcini compromise of the Voting Rights Act. Geraldine G. Thompson, Executive Director of the Voter Education Project, Inc., hailed the vote as a "resounding victory" for the civil rights community. She urged the Full Senate to swiftly and unanimously pass the bill, calling it an "expression of support for constitutional rights" and a "giant step towards truly making this one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, African American leadership
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on the growing events and clashes of the Klan with the Black population, and how this could be tied to changes in politics. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Klan Activity on the Rise, U.S. Official Says", March 3, 1982
Date Created
1982-03-03
Description
Article on the growing events and clashes of the Klan with the Black population, and how this could be tied to changes in politics. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records