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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  • Geographic Location = Illinois--Chicago
Newspaper article describing controversy over Andrew Young's appointment as ambassador to the United Nations among his friends and constituents in Atlanta. Some of Young's closest friends believed that he could do more good for America's disadvantaged by staying in Congress and helping to steer passage of legislation critical to Blacks and other minorities. Others were concerned about the political chaos that could follow in the choice of Young's successor in his biracial 5th Congressional District. The district was 62% white, and it was generally believed that Young was the only public figure who could appeal enough to both races to defeat a white candidate. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Young's Decision Draws Criticism", December 19, 1976
Date Created
1976-12-19
Description
Newspaper article describing controversy over Andrew Young's appointment as ambassador to the United Nations among his friends and constituents in Atlanta. Some of Young's closest friends believed that he could do more good for America's disadvantaged by staying in Congress and helping to steer passage of legislation critical to Blacks and other minorities. Others were concerned about the political chaos that could follow in the choice of Young's successor in his biracial 5th Congressional District. The district was 62% white, and it was generally believed that Young was the only public figure who could appeal enough to both races to defeat a white candidate. 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
Newspaper article sent to John R. Lewis from Ross Range discussing the prevailing feelings of Southerners who have moved to the North and how they viewed the election of Jimmy Carter as President as an opportunity for how the South was viewed by the rest of the country. The article features the interviews of several Southerners who experienced prejudice and alienation in the North, but who were ultimately proud of Carter's election as a symbol of the South's progress. The article concluded that the election of Carter was a sign that the South was finally being accepted. 5 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"'North had its foot on neck of South for long time'," November 14, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-14
Description
Newspaper article sent to John R. Lewis from Ross Range discussing the prevailing feelings of Southerners who have moved to the North and how they viewed the election of Jimmy Carter as President as an opportunity for how the South was viewed by the rest of the country. The article features the interviews of several Southerners who experienced prejudice and alienation in the North, but who were ultimately proud of Carter's election as a symbol of the South's progress. The article concluded that the election of Carter was a sign that the South was finally being accepted. 5 pages.
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
This article describes the influential role that Rep. Andrew Young and the "Black Atlanta Connection" played in securing Jimmy Carter's election as President of the United States, with prominent Georgians and other figures supporting Carter's campaign through their political power, personal integrity, and outreach efforts to African American communities. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Atlanta Connection Did Well", November 6, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-06
Description
This article describes the influential role that Rep. Andrew Young and the "Black Atlanta Connection" played in securing Jimmy Carter's election as President of the United States, with prominent Georgians and other figures supporting Carter's campaign through their political power, personal integrity, and outreach efforts to African American communities. 2 pages.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation, African American civic leaders, African American mayors
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
This article discusses the upcoming 1976 US elections and the importance of Black voter turnout, as well as the number of Black candidates running for various positions, with the expectation that the 17 Black representatives in the House will retain their seats, but expanding that number seems unlikely. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Low Turnout May Dim Hope of Black Gain", November 3, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-03
Description
This article discusses the upcoming 1976 US elections and the importance of Black voter turnout, as well as the number of Black candidates running for various positions, with the expectation that the 17 Black representatives in the House will retain their seats, but expanding that number seems unlikely. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article regarding the Democratic Party's hopes that minority voters would turn out in large numbers to help Jimmy Carter win the election. However, there was a decline in Black voter participation in previous years. The Carter campaign worked hard to register and get out the vote among minority voters, but success was not guaranteed. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Democrats Spur Minority Turnout As Presidency Key", October 27, 1976
Date Created
1976-10-27
Description
Newspaper article regarding the Democratic Party's hopes that minority voters would turn out in large numbers to help Jimmy Carter win the election. However, there was a decline in Black voter participation in previous years. The Carter campaign worked hard to register and get out the vote among minority voters, but success was not guaranteed. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Presidents
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Senator Julian Bond delivered a speech at the NAACP convention in Chicago, where he discussed the importance of the ballot and how the government affects lives, and the need for sustained effort on the part of Black leadership to register and to prepare for a lasting political war. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Bond's Message for the Powerless", October 6, 1976
Date Created
1976-10-06
Description
Senator Julian Bond delivered a speech at the NAACP convention in Chicago, where he discussed the importance of the ballot and how the government affects lives, and the need for sustained effort on the part of Black leadership to register and to prepare for a lasting political war. 1 page.
Subject
African American civil rights workers, Voter registration, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"NOW Chairman Against Nixon" article in the Chicago Sun Times detailing Ms. Chisholm's bid for the White House. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"NOW Chairman Against Nixon" Article, September 1, 1971
Date Created
1971-09-01
Description
"NOW Chairman Against Nixon" article in the Chicago Sun Times detailing Ms. Chisholm's bid for the White House. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American women, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records