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 = Civil rights movements
Newspaper article discussing the launch of the Voter Education Project in the form of a voter registration drive in Macon, Georgia. The project was to focus on the Unionville and Murphy Homes sections of town and work to register as many people as possible. The project was created to organize the communities and educate residents about the importance of voting. The project was led by James Bulloch, a staff worker for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Bulloch was active in the SCOPE project the summer prior, which registered over 3,000 new voters in Macon and Bibb County. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Education Project Begins Monday", March 12, 1966
Date Created
1966-03-12
Description
Newspaper article discussing the launch of the Voter Education Project in the form of a voter registration drive in Macon, Georgia. The project was to focus on the Unionville and Murphy Homes sections of town and work to register as many people as possible. The project was created to organize the communities and educate residents about the importance of voting. The project was led by James Bulloch, a staff worker for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Bulloch was active in the SCOPE project the summer prior, which registered over 3,000 new voters in Macon and Bibb County. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article discussing "Operation Registration" in Lousiana, in which a workshop on the importance of voting in New Orleans kicked off a voter registration drive. The registrar of voters, A. P. Gallinghouse, spoke at the workshop and announced that there were approximately 150,000 people in Orleans Parish who were eligible to vote but were not registered. He also said that his office would open extended hours to help people register to vote. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"'Operation Registration' In 'Big Push' For More Voters", May 28, 1966
Date Created
1966-05-28
Description
Newspaper article discussing "Operation Registration" in Lousiana, in which a workshop on the importance of voting in New Orleans kicked off a voter registration drive. The registrar of voters, A. P. Gallinghouse, spoke at the workshop and announced that there were approximately 150,000 people in Orleans Parish who were eligible to vote but were not registered. He also said that his office would open extended hours to help people register to vote. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Magazine article regarding the challenges faced by Black officeholders in the South after the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Despite being elected, Black officials often faced resistance from white officials and members of the black community. The article also discusses the efforts of the Voter Education Project to provide training and support to Black officeholders. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"The Other Half of the Battle", January 10, 1969
Date Created
1969-01-10
Description
Magazine article regarding the challenges faced by Black officeholders in the South after the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Despite being elected, Black officials often faced resistance from white officials and members of the black community. The article also discusses the efforts of the Voter Education Project to provide training and support to Black officeholders. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis meets with an old woman in Drew, Mississippi during a voting rights tour.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis Talks to an Old Woman During a Voting Rights Tour, circa 1972
Date Created
1970/1974
Description
John R. Lewis meets with an old woman in Drew, Mississippi during a voting rights tour.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis, Julian Bond, and other men talk with a group of people sitting on a porch in Drew, Mississippi during a voting rights tour.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis and Julian Bond Talk to People During a Voting Rights Tour, circa 1972
Date Created
1970/1974
Description
John R. Lewis, Julian Bond, and other men talk with a group of people sitting on a porch in Drew, Mississippi during a voting rights tour.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis speaks to a group of people during a voting rights tour.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis Speaks to a Group During a Voting Rights Tour, circa 1972
Date Created
1970/1974
Description
John R. Lewis speaks to a group of people during a voting rights tour.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis speaks to a group of people during a voting rights tour.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis Addresses People During a Voting Rights Tour, circa 1972
Date Created
1970/1974
Description
John R. Lewis speaks to a group of people during a voting rights tour.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis and Julian Bond speak to a group of people during a voting rights tour.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis Talks With a Man During a Voting Rights Tour, circa 1972
Date Created
1970/1974
Description
John R. Lewis and Julian Bond speak to a group of people during a voting rights tour.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis speaks to a group of people during a voting rights tour.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis Talks With a Man During a Voting Rights Tour, circa 1972
Date Created
1970/1974
Description
John R. Lewis speaks to a group of people during a voting rights tour.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis and Julian Bond speak at a press conference regarding voting rights.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis and Julian Bond Speak at a Conference, 1972
Date Created
1972
Description
John R. Lewis and Julian Bond speak at a press conference regarding voting rights.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis congratulates Rev. Andrew Young on his election to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis Congratulates Rev. Andrew Young on His Congressional Victory, 1972
Date Created
1972-11-07
Description
John R. Lewis congratulates Rev. Andrew Young on his election to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A man reads from the Gospel in a church, while Maynard Jackson stands in the background.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Man Reads From the Gospel, circa 1974
Date Created
1972/1976
Description
A man reads from the Gospel in a church, while Maynard Jackson stands in the background.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African American leadership, Civil rights movements, African American churches
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Maynard Jackson addresses people in a church.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Maynard Jackson Speaks to People at a Church, circa 1974
Date Created
1972/1976
Description
Maynard Jackson addresses people in a church.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African American leadership, Civil rights movements, African American churches, African American mayors
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A man addresses people in a church, while Maynard Jackson sits in the background.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Man Speaks to People at a Church, circa 1974
Date Created
1972/1976
Description
A man addresses people in a church, while Maynard Jackson sits in the background.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African American leadership, Civil rights movements, African American churches
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Maynard Jackson sings along with other people at a church.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Maynard Jackson Sings at a Church, circa 1974
Date Created
1972/1976
Description
Maynard Jackson sings along with other people at a church.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African American leadership, Civil rights movements, African American churches, African American mayors
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Maynard Jackson speaks to people in a church.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Maynard Jackson Speaks to People at a Church, circa 1974
Date Created
1972/1976
Description
Maynard Jackson speaks to people in a church.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African American leadership, Civil rights movements, African American churches, African American mayors
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A man addresses people in a church, while Maynard Jackson sits in the background.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Man Speaks to People at a Church, circa 1974
Date Created
1972/1976
Description
A man addresses people in a church, while Maynard Jackson sits in the background.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African American leadership, Civil rights movements, African American churches
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Gerald Blessey talks to an audience of people during his political campaign.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Gerald Blessey Speaks to People During His Political Campaign, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
Gerald Blessey talks to an audience of people during his political campaign.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Gerald Blessey talks to a group of young people during his political campaign.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Gerald Blessey Speaks With a Group of Young Voters, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
Gerald Blessey talks to a group of young people during his political campaign.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis poses for a photo with a group of people following a speaking engagement.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John R. Lewis Poses for a Photo With a Group of People, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
John R. Lewis poses for a photo with a group of people following a speaking engagement.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records