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.
13 Objects displayed
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  • Geographic Location = Alabama--Birmingham
"Arrington Fills Staff Post on Women's Issues", December 20, 1983
1983-12-20
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.
African American women, African Americans--Politics and government, African American families
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
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.
"Blacks Elected to Office in State at Record Number", November 11, 1982
1982-11-11
Article on the about the gain of Black public officials in Alabama, including legislators, judges, sheriffs, superintendents and circuit clerks. 1 page.
African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders, Political participation
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
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.
"State Increase of Black Officials is Ranked No.1", November 10, 1982
1982-11-10
"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.
African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders, Political participation
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
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.
"Wallace Wins Amid Tampering Charges", September 30, 1982
1982-09-30
Article on George Wallace winning the Democratic election over George McMillan, possibly due to ballot tampering. 2 pages.
Political campaigns
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on George Wallace winning the Democratic election over George McMillan, possibly due to ballot tampering. 2 pages.
"Carters Win is Important Day in Souths History, Vann Says", November 4, 1976
1976-11-04
Article on Birmingham, Alabama's Mayor David Vann expressing his joy at the election of President-elect Jimmy Carter, attributing his victory to the end of regionalism and a change in attitude towards the South. 1 page.
Voting, Political participation
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on Birmingham, Alabama's Mayor David Vann expressing his joy at the election of President-elect Jimmy Carter, attributing his victory to the end of regionalism and a change in attitude towards the South. 1 page.
"Vann Predicts Carter Victory to Help South", November 4, 1976
1976-11-04
This article reports on Birmingham Mayor David Vann's views on the election of Jimmy Carter as President and how it may help remove regional prejudice against the South, as well as his announcement of a special "Candidate's Workshop" and other local news. 1 page.
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
This article reports on Birmingham Mayor David Vann's views on the election of Jimmy Carter as President and how it may help remove regional prejudice against the South, as well as his announcement of a special "Candidate's Workshop" and other local news. 1 page.
The L.Q.C. Lamar Society Third Annual Symposium "Redevelopment of the Rural South", April 21, 1972
1972-04-21
The L.Q.C. Lamar Society Third Annual Symposium Redevelopment of the Rural South: Prelude to a More Humane Urban South agenda and conference registration pamphlet. 3 pages.
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Women--Societies and clubs
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The L.Q.C. Lamar Society Third Annual Symposium Redevelopment of the Rural South: Prelude to a More Humane Urban South agenda and conference registration pamphlet. 3 pages.
Speech Delivered by John Lewis, January 28, 1972
1972-01-28
A speech delivered by John Lewis at the Black Youth Caucus Conference.
Voter registration, Voting
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A speech delivered by John Lewis at the Black Youth Caucus Conference.
"Voting Rights Act of 65 Gave Blacks Political Punch", 1970
1970
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 has had a significant impact on Southern Black political empowerment, resulting in increased voter registration, the election of Black officials at various levels of government, and changes in the political landscape, though some advocates argue that it has not been sufficiently enforced and needs stronger measures. 1 page.
Voting, African Americans--Civil rights, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 has had a significant impact on Southern Black political empowerment, resulting in increased voter registration, the election of Black officials at various levels of government, and changes in the political landscape, though some advocates argue that it has not been sufficiently enforced and needs stronger measures. 1 page.
"You Can't Vote if You're Not Registered", circa 1970
1968/1972
Brochure from National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Voter Education Project in Birmingham, Alabama outlining the importance of voting. 4 pages.
African Americans--Civil rights, Political posters, Voter registration
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Brochure from National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Voter Education Project in Birmingham, Alabama outlining the importance of voting. 4 pages.
"Black Cities", November 11, 1968
1968--11-11
A newspaper clipping describing the incorporation of Roosevelt City, Alabama. 1 page.
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing the incorporation of Roosevelt City, Alabama. 1 page.
"Brief Memorial Rites Held In Viet", May 30, 1966
1966-05-30
Newspaper article regarding Memorial Day services that were held in South Vietnam on May 30, 1966, as the war continued. General William C. Westmoreland, the commander of U.S. military forces in Vietnam, attended a service in Saigon sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. As part of his remarks, Westmoreland read a letter from a father whose son had been killed in action on Memorial Day the previous year. The father expressed his gratitude for the sacrifices of American soldiers in Vietnam and said that he wished he had another son to send to Vietnam. 1 page.
Funeral rites and ceremonies, African American soldiers, African Americans--Religion, Vietnam War (1961-1975)
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article regarding Memorial Day services that were held in South Vietnam on May 30, 1966, as the war continued. General William C. Westmoreland, the commander of U.S. military forces in Vietnam, attended a service in Saigon sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. As part of his remarks, Westmoreland read a letter from a father whose son had been killed in action on Memorial Day the previous year. The father expressed his gratitude for the sacrifices of American soldiers in Vietnam and said that he wished he had another son to send to Vietnam. 1 page.
Correspondence from Paul Rilling to Wiley Branton, February 28, 1962
1962-02-28
An interoffice memo sent to Wiley Branton regarding the establishment of a coordinating council for voting and voter registration in Birmingham, Alabama. 1 page.
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
An interoffice memo sent to Wiley Branton regarding the establishment of a coordinating council for voting and voter registration in Birmingham, Alabama. 1 page.