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.
14 Objects displayed
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  1. Browse Repository
  2. Archival Collections
  3. Voter Education Project Organizational Records
For:
  • Decade = 1980-1989
  • Geographic Location = Washington (D.C.)
Wyche Fowler presents a draft of the Minority Farmers Rights legislation, developed with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, to address the decline of Black farming in America, and to provide technical assistance to enable Black and other limited resource farmers to retain and develop their land. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Minority Farmers Rights Act of 1989 Discussion Draft, October 1989
Date Created
1989-10
Description
Wyche Fowler presents a draft of the Minority Farmers Rights legislation, developed with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, to address the decline of Black farming in America, and to provide technical assistance to enable Black and other limited resource farmers to retain and develop their land. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Social conditions, African Americans--Economic conditions
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newsletter discussing the religious community's analysis of two housing bills, the "National Affordable Housing Act" (S 565) Senate bill which requested a moderate increase in federal housing expenditures to create new programs and the "Housing and Community Development Act" (HR 1180) House bill which proposed a substantial increase in spending on programs that are much like current housing programs. This analysis included the discussion of affordable housing options and statements regarding the necessity of accessible housing options in the United States. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Religious Community Analyzes Two Housing Bills," October 1989
Date Created
1989-10
Description
Newsletter discussing the religious community's analysis of two housing bills, the "National Affordable Housing Act" (S 565) Senate bill which requested a moderate increase in federal housing expenditures to create new programs and the "Housing and Community Development Act" (HR 1180) House bill which proposed a substantial increase in spending on programs that are much like current housing programs. This analysis included the discussion of affordable housing options and statements regarding the necessity of accessible housing options in the United States. 2 pages.
Subject
Civil rights movements, Political participation, Human rights, Religious broadcasting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newsletter discussing the religious community's response to a mining labor strike in Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky, after Pittson Coal Company miners worked 14 months without a contract and the company withdrew from the Bituminous Coal Operators Association, a multi-employer bargaining group which negotiated contracts covering mining employees who were members of the UMWA. The newsletter included an interfaith statement of support calling for reconciliation and resolution between the parties. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Religious Community Responds to Mine Workers' Strike", October 1989
Date Created
1989-10
Description
Newsletter discussing the religious community's response to a mining labor strike in Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky, after Pittson Coal Company miners worked 14 months without a contract and the company withdrew from the Bituminous Coal Operators Association, a multi-employer bargaining group which negotiated contracts covering mining employees who were members of the UMWA. The newsletter included an interfaith statement of support calling for reconciliation and resolution between the parties. 2 pages.
Subject
Civil rights movements, Political participation, Human rights, Religious broadcasting, Labor
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newsletter discussing foreign debt of Latin America reaching staggering levels, with Bolivia being no exception. The country's debt of $4 billion had a significant impact on its people, particularly the poor. Money that could be used for healthcare, education, and other social services was instead used to service the debt. This led to a decline in the quality of life for many Bolivians, especially children. New policies and approaches to the debt crisis were needed to improve the lives of people in Bolivia and other Latin American countries. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Bolivia's External Debt: In Need of a New Bottom Line", October 1989
Date Created
1989-10
Description
Newsletter discussing foreign debt of Latin America reaching staggering levels, with Bolivia being no exception. The country's debt of $4 billion had a significant impact on its people, particularly the poor. Money that could be used for healthcare, education, and other social services was instead used to service the debt. This led to a decline in the quality of life for many Bolivians, especially children. New policies and approaches to the debt crisis were needed to improve the lives of people in Bolivia and other Latin American countries. 2 pages.
Subject
Poverty, International relations, Human rights, Religious broadcasting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Report from the Census Bureau examining voter turnout in the 1988 presidential election. The report found that voter turnout among Black Americans decreased from 56% in 1984 to 52% in 1988, with white voter turnout also decreasing from 61% to 59%, while Hispanic voter turnout fell from 33% to 29%. The report also found that Black voter turnout was higher in the North and West than it was in the South. Among Whites, voter turnout was higher in the North and West than in the South. Overall, the report found that registration rates among Black Americans, White Americans, and Hispanic Americans all decreased from 1984 to 1988. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Voter Turnout and Registration Rates Fall In Last Presidential Election, Census Bureau Reports", March
Date Created
1989-03-08
Description
Report from the Census Bureau examining voter turnout in the 1988 presidential election. The report found that voter turnout among Black Americans decreased from 56% in 1984 to 52% in 1988, with white voter turnout also decreasing from 61% to 59%, while Hispanic voter turnout fell from 33% to 29%. The report also found that Black voter turnout was higher in the North and West than it was in the South. Among Whites, voter turnout was higher in the North and West than in the South. Overall, the report found that registration rates among Black Americans, White Americans, and Hispanic Americans all decreased from 1984 to 1988. 3 pages.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
During 1984, the National Coalition sponsored OPERATION BIG VOTE coalitions in 25 states and the District of Columbia, resulting in the highest ever reported Black voter registration at 66.3 percent, an increase in turnout to 56 percent, and the net gain of 2.5 million voters, with plans to continue nationwide operations in the future. 6 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Operation Big Vote Newsletter, February 27, 1985
Date Created
1985-02-27
Description
During 1984, the National Coalition sponsored OPERATION BIG VOTE coalitions in 25 states and the District of Columbia, resulting in the highest ever reported Black voter registration at 66.3 percent, an increase in turnout to 56 percent, and the net gain of 2.5 million voters, with plans to continue nationwide operations in the future. 6 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Voting, Groups and organizations
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The National Right to Work Committee is reportedly spending $100,000 this year to place approximately 100 private investigators, including many from Miller and Associates, in union political operations, voter registration organizations, and other groups, in an attempt to identify alleged violations of federal election law and misuse of funds by unions, the Mondale-Ferraro campaign, and tax-exempt organizations. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Investigators Infiltrate Union Political Groups", October 19, 1984
Date Created
1984-10-19
Description
The National Right to Work Committee is reportedly spending $100,000 this year to place approximately 100 private investigators, including many from Miller and Associates, in union political operations, voter registration organizations, and other groups, in an attempt to identify alleged violations of federal election law and misuse of funds by unions, the Mondale-Ferraro campaign, and tax-exempt organizations. 1 page.
Subject
Groups and organizations, Labor, Voter registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newsletter on Grenada and the strategic importance of the country in the Caribbean. From the Republican National Committee. 4 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Grenada, Defending Freedom", November 4, 1983
Date Created
1983-11-04
Description
Newsletter on Grenada and the strategic importance of the country in the Caribbean. From the Republican National Committee. 4 pages.
Subject
Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on the Black community grappling with the potential benefits and risks of Jesse L. Jackson's candidacy for President of the United States. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Leaders Agonize as Jesse Jackson Ponders Bid", September 11, 1983
Date Created
1983-09-11
Description
Article on the Black community grappling with the potential benefits and risks of Jesse L. Jackson's candidacy for President of the United States. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, a coalition of 160 national organizations advocating for civil rights, released its Voting Record for the 97th Congress, showing that five Senators and 61 Representatives had a perfect voting record, while seven Senators and 27 Representatives consistently voted against civil rights issues; the report highlights the successes and challenges faced in advancing civil rights legislation and emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and coalition efforts to protect past accomplishments and promote equality of opportunity for all citizens. 24 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Leadership Conference Issues Voting Record for 97th Congress", October 25, 1982
Date Created
1982-10-25
Description
The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, a coalition of 160 national organizations advocating for civil rights, released its Voting Record for the 97th Congress, showing that five Senators and 61 Representatives had a perfect voting record, while seven Senators and 27 Representatives consistently voted against civil rights issues; the report highlights the successes and challenges faced in advancing civil rights legislation and emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and coalition efforts to protect past accomplishments and promote equality of opportunity for all citizens. 24 pages.
Subject
Associations, institutions, etc., African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
On June 18, the Senate passed the Voting Rights Extension Act by a vote of 85-to-8, culminating a year and a half struggle to continue the protections of the federal civil rights law despite initial opposition and attempts to weaken it, with bipartisan efforts leading to the passage of a strong and effective extension bill. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Memo, Voting Right Extension Act, June 29, 1982
Date Created
1982-06-29
Description
On June 18, the Senate passed the Voting Rights Extension Act by a vote of 85-to-8, culminating a year and a half struggle to continue the protections of the federal civil rights law despite initial opposition and attempts to weaken it, with bipartisan efforts leading to the passage of a strong and effective extension bill. 3 pages.
Subject
Associations, institutions, etc., African Americans--Civil rights, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Equality For All" brochure detailing civil rights issues by the Multicultural Task Force of America. 4 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Equality For All" Brochure, 1982
Date Created
1982
Description
"Equality For All" brochure detailing civil rights issues by the Multicultural Task Force of America. 4 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Community Development, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Report of the LWVEF Litigation Workshop on Reapportionment and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which includes a general summary, equal population standards, with additional information. 9 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Report of the LWVEF Litigation Workshop on Reapportionment and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, March 6, 1981
Date Created
1981-03-06
Description
Report of the LWVEF Litigation Workshop on Reapportionment and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which includes a general summary, equal population standards, with additional information. 9 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Women and the Vote - 1984" A fact sheet on the wage gender gap which includes data and historical context. 4 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Women and the Vote - 1984" Fact Sheet, circa 1980
Date Created
1980/1986
Description
"Women and the Vote - 1984" A fact sheet on the wage gender gap which includes data and historical context. 4 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African Americans--Employment, African Americans--Economic conditions, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records