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.
284 Objects displayed
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  • Subjects = African Americans--Civil rights
  • Decade = 1960-1969
A newspaper clipping describing criticism of Atlanta Mayor, Ivan Allen Jr.. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Allen Needs Help, Some Critics Feel", December 9, 1969
Date Created
1969-12-09
Description
A newspaper clipping describing criticism of Atlanta Mayor, Ivan Allen Jr.. 2 pages.
Subject
Race relations, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article entitled "Southwest Negroes Launch Voter Drive" describing the initial plans to reorganize a voter registration drive in Albany, Georgia. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Southwest Negroes Launch Voter Drive", August 25, 1969
Date Created
1969-08-25
Description
Article entitled "Southwest Negroes Launch Voter Drive" describing the initial plans to reorganize a voter registration drive in Albany, Georgia. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article entitled "The Black Vote in Danger" by Vernon Jordan published in the Inner City Citizenship Education Project Newsletter. The article describes the expiration of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, its impact on Black Southern voters, and VEP's efforts to extend the Voting Rights Act. 8 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"The Black Vote in Danger", August 1969
Date Created
1969-08
Description
Article entitled "The Black Vote in Danger" by Vernon Jordan published in the Inner City Citizenship Education Project Newsletter. The article describes the expiration of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, its impact on Black Southern voters, and VEP's efforts to extend the Voting Rights Act. 8 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American civil rights workers, African Americans--Politics and government, Voting, Voter registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A note accompanying a copy of a newspaper article regarding a meeting of Black leaders and racial discrimination in the South. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"U.S. Policies Fuel Black Hostility", July 9, 1969
Date Created
1969-07-09
Description
A note accompanying a copy of a newspaper article regarding a meeting of Black leaders and racial discrimination in the South. 2 pages.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, Race discrimination, African Americans--Civil rights, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Vol.II, No.2, includes anecdotes from student interns on their day to day life experiences. 11 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"The VEP Intern News", July 1969
Date Created
1969-07
Description
Vol.II, No.2, includes anecdotes from student interns on their day to day life experiences. 11 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American students, African American civil rights workers
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A flyer from the NAACP and VEP promoting time and place for voting registration. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Action for Freedom, Register to Vote", June 14, 1969
Date Created
1969--06-14
Description
A flyer from the NAACP and VEP promoting time and place for voting registration. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Political posters, Voter registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A short history and activities conducted by the VEP. 9 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"A Statement on the Voter Education Project of the Southern Regional Council, Inc.", June 14, 1969
Date Created
1969-06-14
Description
A short history and activities conducted by the VEP. 9 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
Correspondence from Mordecai C. Johnson, Democratic Executive Committeeman, to Marvin D. Wall, VEP's Director of Research, attaching a recent newsclipping regarding the election of Dover Bowman to a 4-year term on Timmonsville, South Carolina's 6-man City Council in Florence County. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Timmonsville Picks Hobson; Negro Elected", April 30, 1969
Date Created
1969-04-30
Description
Correspondence from Mordecai C. Johnson, Democratic Executive Committeeman, to Marvin D. Wall, VEP's Director of Research, attaching a recent newsclipping regarding the election of Dover Bowman to a 4-year term on Timmonsville, South Carolina's 6-man City Council in Florence County. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping with an article describing a forum held by the Fulton County Democratic party regarding an all Black primary. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"All-Negro Primary Comes Under Fire", April 25, 1969
Date Created
1969-04-25
Description
A newspaper clipping with an article describing a forum held by the Fulton County Democratic party regarding an all Black primary. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence from Mordecai C. Johnson, Democratic Executive Committeeman for the third precinct, to VEP's Vernon Jordan regarding the successful election of Black representation in a recent election in Florence, South Carolina. Johnson referred to the political developments in Florence as a "significant step forward in democratizing the democrats as well as the city, and giving heart to others in the city, county, state, south and the nation." 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence From Mordecai C. Johnson to Vernon E. Jordan, April 22, 1969
Date Created
1969-04-22
Description
Correspondence from Mordecai C. Johnson, Democratic Executive Committeeman for the third precinct, to VEP's Vernon Jordan regarding the successful election of Black representation in a recent election in Florence, South Carolina. Johnson referred to the political developments in Florence as a "significant step forward in democratizing the democrats as well as the city, and giving heart to others in the city, county, state, south and the nation." 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article regarding 225 people, mostly African Americans, marching in Hampton, South Carolina to protest red tape and slowness in implementing federal poverty programs. The march was organized by the Hampton NAACP and included students from Notre Dame University and St. Mary's College. There were no arrests during the march, but four people were arrested on Thursday for blocking traffic on U.S. 601. The students from Notre Dame and St. Mary's had been in the area conducting a survey of poverty conditions. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Protestors Stage March", April 12, 1969
Date Created
1969-04-12
Description
Newspaper article regarding 225 people, mostly African Americans, marching in Hampton, South Carolina to protest red tape and slowness in implementing federal poverty programs. The march was organized by the Hampton NAACP and included students from Notre Dame University and St. Mary's College. There were no arrests during the march, but four people were arrested on Thursday for blocking traffic on U.S. 601. The students from Notre Dame and St. Mary's had been in the area conducting a survey of poverty conditions. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African American student movements, Protest movements, African Americans--Education
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping with an article describing the National Civil Liberties Clearing House's annual meeting. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Rustin Sees 'Community Control' Unable to Solve Ghetto Problems", March 29, 1969
Date Created
1969-03-29
Description
A newspaper clipping with an article describing the National Civil Liberties Clearing House's annual meeting. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, Race discrimination, African Americans--Civil rights, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article dicussing the Atlanta city government's employment of Black workers at City Hall. The article claimed that while some preliminary positive changes were created in the increased hiring of Black workers, any additional change was unlikely at the department head level. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"City Employs Many Negroes," March 17, 1969
Date Created
1969-03-17
Description
Newspaper article dicussing the Atlanta city government's employment of Black workers at City Hall. The article claimed that while some preliminary positive changes were created in the increased hiring of Black workers, any additional change was unlikely at the department head level. 1 page.
Subject
African American leadership, African Americans--Civil rights, Labor
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article regarding the election of the Black chairman William W. Bennett to the City Democrats Party in South Carolina during an organizational meeting which also set election primary dates and candidate filing fees for the upcoming May 6 Municipal Election. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"City Democrats Elect First Negro Chairman", March 14, 1969
Date Created
1969-03-14
Description
Newspaper article regarding the election of the Black chairman William W. Bennett to the City Democrats Party in South Carolina during an organizational meeting which also set election primary dates and candidate filing fees for the upcoming May 6 Municipal Election. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Sadie B. Gaines and Verdelle B. Bellamy of Atlanta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. and Mr. Keepler discussing evaluations forms and brochure of Minority Women in Employment: Human Rights and Public Policy. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Sadie B. Gaines, Verdelle B. Bellamy, and Mr. Keepler, February 16, 1969
Date Created
1969-02-16
Description
Correspondence Between Sadie B. Gaines and Verdelle B. Bellamy of Atlanta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. and Mr. Keepler discussing evaluations forms and brochure of Minority Women in Employment: Human Rights and Public Policy. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Voter registration, Women--Societies and clubs, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article regarding Senator Ernest Hollings' claims that there was a serious problem with hunger in South Carolina, citing his own tours of slums and the testimony of experts. However, Senator Strom Thurmond denied that there was a problem, and claimed that talk of hunger was just political maneuvering. The issue was further complicated by the fact that many state and local officials also denied that hunger exists. The article also discusses the potential need for federal action to combat the problem and the lack of public support for Hollings' efforts to raise awareness of hunger. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Hunger: The Politics of Personal Misery", February 16, 1969
Date Created
1969-02-16
Description
Newspaper article regarding Senator Ernest Hollings' claims that there was a serious problem with hunger in South Carolina, citing his own tours of slums and the testimony of experts. However, Senator Strom Thurmond denied that there was a problem, and claimed that talk of hunger was just political maneuvering. The issue was further complicated by the fact that many state and local officials also denied that hunger exists. The article also discusses the potential need for federal action to combat the problem and the lack of public support for Hollings' efforts to raise awareness of hunger. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, 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
Correspondence from Thomas Moss, director of South Carolina's Voter Education Project, to Marvin Wall, VEP's Director of Research, with the campaign cards of three Black candidates running for city council in Denmark, South Carolina. 4 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
City Council Campaign Cards for Black Candidates In Denmark, South Carolina, February 5, 1969
Date Created
1969-02-05
Description
Correspondence from Thomas Moss, director of South Carolina's Voter Education Project, to Marvin Wall, VEP's Director of Research, with the campaign cards of three Black candidates running for city council in Denmark, South Carolina. 4 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Miss Louise L. Pitman and The Rev. John B. Morris with enclosed receipt of copies ordered and a copy the brochure "It's Your State-North Carolina" published by The League of Women Voters of North Carolina. 8 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Miss Louise L. Pitman and The Rev. John B. Morris, January 23, 1969
Date Created
1969-01-23
Description
Correspondence Between Miss Louise L. Pitman and The Rev. John B. Morris with enclosed receipt of copies ordered and a copy the brochure "It's Your State-North Carolina" published by The League of Women Voters of North Carolina. 8 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Women--Societies and clubs, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
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