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--Georgia--Atlanta
Draft of press release on upcoming conference on Black colleges and universities. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"VEP Holds National Conference on Black Colleges and Universities", 1983
Date Created
1905--06-05
Description
Draft of press release on upcoming conference on Black colleges and universities. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American universities and colleges
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
"Bill Gray Will Headline the Twenty First Dinner of the Voter Education Project", 1983
Date Created
1905--06-05
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 entitled "NAACP youth force summer program include Georgia" regarding the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) summer Youth Program for voter registration in Atlanta, Georgia. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"NAACP Youth Force Summer Program Includes Georgia", circa 1965
Date Created
1960/1970
Description
Article entitled "NAACP youth force summer program include Georgia" regarding the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) summer Youth Program for voter registration in Atlanta, Georgia. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American students, Voter registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Informational flyer on the Central City Neighborhood Development Center, listing the variety of services offered, like job and youth counseling, and banking. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Central City Neighborhood Development Center", circa 1967
Date Created
1965/1970
Description
Informational flyer on the Central City Neighborhood Development Center, listing the variety of services offered, like job and youth counseling, and banking. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Social conditions
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A flyer to rally community action to change city council boundaries to improve conditions for Black families in the College Park area of Atlanta. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Join the Movement to Improve Living Conditions for Black People in College Park", circa 1967
Date Created
1965/1970
Description
A flyer to rally community action to change city council boundaries to improve conditions for Black families in the College Park area of Atlanta. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Social conditions
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Report on enrollment changes in Atlanta public schools from 1965-1966. The Atlanta Board of Education adopted a pupil assignment plan in 1966. The plan required all pupils to complete an application for assignment form for the school year 1966-67. The enrollment trend in each school possibly affected the choices of pupils or their parents. The enrollment changes were also potentially useful in evaluating the effectiveness of the pupil assignment plan in accomplishing the desegregation of the Atlanta public schools. 4 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Report on Enrollment Changes in Atlanta Public Schools, 1965-1966
Date Created
1966-04-06
Description
Report on enrollment changes in Atlanta public schools from 1965-1966. The Atlanta Board of Education adopted a pupil assignment plan in 1966. The plan required all pupils to complete an application for assignment form for the school year 1966-67. The enrollment trend in each school possibly affected the choices of pupils or their parents. The enrollment changes were also potentially useful in evaluating the effectiveness of the pupil assignment plan in accomplishing the desegregation of the Atlanta public schools. 4 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, African American students, Demographic surveys
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"How to Conduct a Registration Campaign" created by VEP intern and Spelman College sophomore Patricia Collins working in the office of Mayor Irving Allen. 24 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"How to Conduct a Registration Campaign", 1967
Date Created
1967
Author
Collins, Patricia
Description
"How to Conduct a Registration Campaign" created by VEP intern and Spelman College sophomore Patricia Collins working in the office of Mayor Irving Allen. 24 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civil rights workers, Voter registration, Voting, African Americans--Civil rights, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Flyer from the Lunenburg County, Virginia branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) asking Black citizens to not support segregated newspapers. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Lunenburg County NAACP, circa 1970
Date Created
1968/1972
Description
Flyer from the Lunenburg County, Virginia branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) asking Black citizens to not support segregated newspapers. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Race discrimination, Race relations, Political posters, Voter registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A short history of the VEP and explanation of how it would spend contributions to advance the minority vote. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"What is the Voter Education Project?", circa 1970
Date Created
1968/1972
Description
A short history of the VEP and explanation of how it would spend contributions to advance the minority vote. 3 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
Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. announced his retirement a year from then at an Atlanta Rotary Club luncheon, sparking speculation about possible candidates to succeed him, with Aid. Milton Farris, Vice Mayor Sam Massell, and Aid. Rodney Cook appearing to be the favorites, although reliable rumors circulating in the Black community that there may be no major Black candidate for mayor this year would strongly enhance Massell's candidacy. Along with article, "Concerted Negro Vote Sign Up Under Way for Mayor�s Race", about an effort is being made in Atlanta to register and educate eligible Black voters in an attempt to gain majority control in the upcoming mayoral election, with some caution being exercised to avoid splitting the Black vote by throwing support behind a white candidate, such as Vice Mayor Sam Massell, who is deemed more acceptable to some Black leaders than a Black candidate who may be seen as a sellout to the community, while also pressing for police reform and addressing allegations of police brutality and misconduct towards the Black community. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Mayor Allen Confirms That He'll Retire", January 7, 1969
Date Created
1969--01-07
Author
Coffin, Alex
Description
Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. announced his retirement a year from then at an Atlanta Rotary Club luncheon, sparking speculation about possible candidates to succeed him, with Aid. Milton Farris, Vice Mayor Sam Massell, and Aid. Rodney Cook appearing to be the favorites, although reliable rumors circulating in the Black community that there may be no major Black candidate for mayor this year would strongly enhance Massell's candidacy. Along with article, "Concerted Negro Vote Sign Up Under Way for Mayor�s Race", about an effort is being made in Atlanta to register and educate eligible Black voters in an attempt to gain majority control in the upcoming mayoral election, with some caution being exercised to avoid splitting the Black vote by throwing support behind a white candidate, such as Vice Mayor Sam Massell, who is deemed more acceptable to some Black leaders than a Black candidate who may be seen as a sellout to the community, while also pressing for police reform and addressing allegations of police brutality and misconduct towards the Black community. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Atlanta School Board's choice of a successor to Mrs. Sara Mitchell was criticized by Negro leaders who warned of a possible boycott, while a church committee called for the resignation of Atlanta School Supt. John Letson and urged the board to obtain his resignation in order to replace him with an educator who will exhibit progressive leadership. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Negro Leaders Hint Boycott Over School Board Choice", January 7, 1969
Date Created
1969--01-07
Description
The Atlanta School Board's choice of a successor to Mrs. Sara Mitchell was criticized by Negro leaders who warned of a possible boycott, while a church committee called for the resignation of Atlanta School Supt. John Letson and urged the board to obtain his resignation in order to replace him with an educator who will exhibit progressive leadership. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Education
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
This article discusses the potential candidates for the upcoming mayoral election in Atlanta, highlighting the lack of coalescence behind one or two candidates, and examining the strengths and weaknesses of the various potential candidates, including Rodney Cook, Sam Massell, Milton Farris, Everett Millican, Leroy Johnson, and Charles Weltner. Additionally, the article suggests the possibility of a push for a Negro vice mayor, with potential candidates including Vernon Jordan and Maynard Jackson. 1 page
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"A Candidate for Mayor? Name Your Own", January 17, 1969
Date Created
1969--01-17
Author
Cleghorn, Reese
Description
This article discusses the potential candidates for the upcoming mayoral election in Atlanta, highlighting the lack of coalescence behind one or two candidates, and examining the strengths and weaknesses of the various potential candidates, including Rodney Cook, Sam Massell, Milton Farris, Everett Millican, Leroy Johnson, and Charles Weltner. Additionally, the article suggests the possibility of a push for a Negro vice mayor, with potential candidates including Vernon Jordan and Maynard Jackson. 1 page
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Atlanta legislators are drafting a bill to annex Sandy Springs to the city without a referendum, which could greatly enhance the chances of a Republican becoming Atlanta's next mayor; however, Negro community leaders are reluctant to support the move, which would dilute their influence in the upcoming mayoral election, and the proposed ward-based election system for half of Atlanta's aldermen and all of its school board members is opposed by Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. as one of the "most detrimental practices in American politics." 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Mayoralty May Rest on Annexation Bill", January 18, 1969
Date Created
1969--01-18
Author
Hurst, Margaret
Description
Atlanta legislators are drafting a bill to annex Sandy Springs to the city without a referendum, which could greatly enhance the chances of a Republican becoming Atlanta's next mayor; however, Negro community leaders are reluctant to support the move, which would dilute their influence in the upcoming mayoral election, and the proposed ward-based election system for half of Atlanta's aldermen and all of its school board members is opposed by Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. as one of the "most detrimental practices in American politics." 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civic leaders, Political participation, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. has compiled a list of 12 qualities he believes his successor should have, including a commitment to eliminating racial discrimination, willingness to make difficult decisions, ability to cooperate with other governments, and determination to continue programs to rebuild deteriorating parts of the city, among other qualities. Vernon Jordan, head of the Southern Regional Council's Voter Education Project and a former advisor to President Bill Clinton, expressed his interest in the political scene in his hometown of Atlanta after his name was inadvertently left off a list of mayoral candidates being discussed. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Allen Gives List of Qualities He Thinks Mayor Should Have", January 20, 1969
Date Created
1969--01-20
Author
Coffin, Alex
Description
Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. has compiled a list of 12 qualities he believes his successor should have, including a commitment to eliminating racial discrimination, willingness to make difficult decisions, ability to cooperate with other governments, and determination to continue programs to rebuild deteriorating parts of the city, among other qualities. Vernon Jordan, head of the Southern Regional Council's Voter Education Project and a former advisor to President Bill Clinton, expressed his interest in the political scene in his hometown of Atlanta after his name was inadvertently left off a list of mayoral candidates being discussed. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civic leaders, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Jet article on a possibility of Atlanta electing its first Black mayor, with State Sen. Leroy R. Johnson and other Black politicians considering running for office, but winning the election would require significant white voter support and a successful voter-registration campaign. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"A Black Mayor for Atlanta?", January 23, 1969
Date Created
1969--01-23
Description
Jet article on a possibility of Atlanta electing its first Black mayor, with State Sen. Leroy R. Johnson and other Black politicians considering running for office, but winning the election would require significant white voter support and a successful voter-registration campaign. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Atlanta Board of Education has finally agreed to discuss the Better Schools Atlanta report, which highlights shocking disparities in the city's school system, and this could signal the beginning of a real dialogue and citizen participation in the business of the schools. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Schools: Answers Now?", February 10, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-10
Description
The Atlanta Board of Education has finally agreed to discuss the Better Schools Atlanta report, which highlights shocking disparities in the city's school system, and this could signal the beginning of a real dialogue and citizen participation in the business of the schools. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Education, African American students, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
City Attorney Henry Bowden has been suggested as a possible successor to Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. by a group of downtown business leaders, but Bowden has stated that he does not want the job and is a reluctant candidate. With correspondence from Vernon Jordan to E.T. Kehrer. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Bowden Being Pushed As Mayor Candidate", February 11, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-11
Author
Coffin, Alex
Description
City Attorney Henry Bowden has been suggested as a possible successor to Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. by a group of downtown business leaders, but Bowden has stated that he does not want the job and is a reluctant candidate. With correspondence from Vernon Jordan to E.T. Kehrer. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civic leaders, African American businesspeople, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A public information meeting in Atlanta, which was meant to be a presentation on the city's schools, turned into a heated debate between White and Black attendees on the commitment of school officials to improving education in economically deprived areas, with some speakers criticizing the quality of education in these areas and others endorsing the efforts of the school board to improve the situation. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Bitter Debate Rages on Ghetto Schools", February 11, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-11
Author
Hurt, Bob
Description
A public information meeting in Atlanta, which was meant to be a presentation on the city's schools, turned into a heated debate between White and Black attendees on the commitment of school officials to improving education in economically deprived areas, with some speakers criticizing the quality of education in these areas and others endorsing the efforts of the school board to improve the situation. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Education, Voting, Race relations
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
In 1969, State Rep. Julian Bond predicted that a Black mayor would be elected in Atlanta, and that Black Atlanta would become the majority, resulting in either an orderly transition of government or a state of political cold war between the races, depending on the willingness of the Black community to unify and the White community to accept the inevitable future, and argued for the need for a strong political organization and ward elections in the city. With correspondence from Billie Pfiffner to Vernon Jordan concerning Julian Bond's interest in Congress over mayorship. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Last White Mayor in '69, Bond Says", February 13, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-13
Description
In 1969, State Rep. Julian Bond predicted that a Black mayor would be elected in Atlanta, and that Black Atlanta would become the majority, resulting in either an orderly transition of government or a state of political cold war between the races, depending on the willingness of the Black community to unify and the White community to accept the inevitable future, and argued for the need for a strong political organization and ward elections in the city. With correspondence from Billie Pfiffner to Vernon Jordan concerning Julian Bond's interest in Congress over mayorship. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civic leaders, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, Voting, Race relations
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Community Relations Commission has selected six successful Atlanta business people, including Ira L. Jackson, Robert West, Mrs. Mary Jordan, Herman J. Russell, and James and Robert Paschal, to receive its first "Business Achievement Award" at the closing banquet of the "Workshop on Black Business Opportunities," highlighting their flourishing enterprises that touch the lives of hundreds of Atlantans daily. 1 page
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Six Outstanding Black Businesses To Receive CRC Honors February 20", February 15, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-15
Description
The Community Relations Commission has selected six successful Atlanta business people, including Ira L. Jackson, Robert West, Mrs. Mary Jordan, Herman J. Russell, and James and Robert Paschal, to receive its first "Business Achievement Award" at the closing banquet of the "Workshop on Black Business Opportunities," highlighting their flourishing enterprises that touch the lives of hundreds of Atlantans daily. 1 page
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American business enterprises, African American businesspeople, African American women
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records