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 = African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta
Andrew Young, a prominent civil rights activist and former United Nations ambassador, failed to become Georgia's first Black governor in a run-off election, despite efforts to build a multiracial coalition and attract businesses to the state. The article highlights the challenges faced by Black candidates in the South, including a lack of support from White voters and an inability to mobilize enough Black voters to win statewide races. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Young Lost for Many Reasons", 1990
Date Created
1990
Description
Andrew Young, a prominent civil rights activist and former United Nations ambassador, failed to become Georgia's first Black governor in a run-off election, despite efforts to build a multiracial coalition and attract businesses to the state. The article highlights the challenges faced by Black candidates in the South, including a lack of support from White voters and an inability to mobilize enough Black voters to win statewide races. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African American civil rights worker, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Voting, African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The article discusses the challenges faced by Black politicians, such as Andrew Young, who are seeking higher office in predominantly White areas, due to the resistance they face from White voters. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Why the Higher Rungs of Power Elude Black Politicians", February 26, 1989
Date Created
1989-02-26
Description
The article discusses the challenges faced by Black politicians, such as Andrew Young, who are seeking higher office in predominantly White areas, due to the resistance they face from White voters. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Race discrimination, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A brief history of the VEP, with a plan and objections for the program in 1986. 11 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Introduction of the VEP, With Plan for 1986
Date Created
1985/1988
Description
A brief history of the VEP, with a plan and objections for the program in 1986. 11 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
Employee manual of the VEP describing organizational structure, employment, salaries, etc. 24 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Employee Manual, 1985
Date Created
1985
Description
Employee manual of the VEP describing organizational structure, employment, salaries, etc. 24 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Employment, African Americans--Civil rights, African American civil rights workers
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A brief history of the VEP, with a plan, goals and budget for the program. 11 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Introduction of the VEP with Budget Report, circa 1985
Date Created
1984/1987
Description
A brief history of the VEP, with a plan, goals and budget for the program. 11 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
VEP research department essay by Brian Sherman, Ph.D. and K. Farouk Brimah on the increase of participation in voting by the Black population in the South, listing states and percentages. 16 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Increase and Impact: Black Participation in Southern Electoral Politics During the First Half of 1984", July
Date Created
1984-07-25
Author
Sherman, Brian, Brimah, K. Farouk
Description
VEP research department essay by Brian Sherman, Ph.D. and K. Farouk Brimah on the increase of participation in voting by the Black population in the South, listing states and percentages. 16 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
The Atlanta City Council adopts legislation, prompted by the ACLU, to end racial and gender discrimination in several Atlanta gay bars, requiring establishments selling alcohol to make a good faith effort to ascertain legal drinking age and to post a notice at the point of entry reading, "You may be requested to show no more than one currently valid picture of identification with name and date affixed as issued by any agency of government". 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"New Anti-Discrimination Law Passes in Atlanta", February 1984
Date Created
1984-02
Description
The Atlanta City Council adopts legislation, prompted by the ACLU, to end racial and gender discrimination in several Atlanta gay bars, requiring establishments selling alcohol to make a good faith effort to ascertain legal drinking age and to post a notice at the point of entry reading, "You may be requested to show no more than one currently valid picture of identification with name and date affixed as issued by any agency of government". 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Sexual minorities
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Atlanta-based Voter Education Project, led by Charles McCant, plans to challenge a county in federal court by January 14, 1984 in their effort to dismantle "one man governing boards" in Georgia that they deem undemocratic and Nazi-like, with a determination based on the Black voting age population in the targeted county and a focus on examining the racial composition of county boards of education during their tour of five counties from December 12-16. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"One Man County Boards Targeted for Lawsuit", December 8, 1983
Date Created
1983--12-08
Description
The Atlanta-based Voter Education Project, led by Charles McCant, plans to challenge a county in federal court by January 14, 1984 in their effort to dismantle "one man governing boards" in Georgia that they deem undemocratic and Nazi-like, with a determination based on the Black voting age population in the targeted county and a focus on examining the racial composition of county boards of education during their tour of five counties from December 12-16. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civil rights workers, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A report by the Voter Education Project reveals that 88 counties across the southern United States have Black majority populations, and 65 of those have Black majorities of voting age, yet only 26% of elected officials are Black, which is attributed to persisting barriers to Black voter registration and participation. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"VEP Report Shows 88 Southern Black Majority Counties: But Political Progress Stalled", November 15, 1983
Date Created
1983--11-15
Description
A report by the Voter Education Project reveals that 88 counties across the southern United States have Black majority populations, and 65 of those have Black majorities of voting age, yet only 26% of elected officials are Black, which is attributed to persisting barriers to Black voter registration and participation. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release announcing "The Plight of Black Colleges and Universities: The Political Impact" conference held at the Robert W. Woodruff Library in Atlanta, Georgia on October 28, 1983. The conference will address the threat to historically Black colleges and universities and explore solutions such as merger strategies, converting them into vocational institutions, and increasing voter registration among Black students. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"The Plight of Black Colleges and Universities: The Political Impact", October 27, 1983
Date Created
1983--10-27
Description
VEP Press Release announcing "The Plight of Black Colleges and Universities: The Political Impact" conference held at the Robert W. Woodruff Library in Atlanta, Georgia on October 28, 1983. The conference will address the threat to historically Black colleges and universities and explore solutions such as merger strategies, converting them into vocational institutions, and increasing voter registration among Black students. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American students, African American universities and colleges, Special events, Voting, Voter registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Voter Education Project's Twenty-First Anniversary Banquet at the Atlanta Omni International Hotel on October 27, 7:30 P.M., will feature Congressman William H. Gray, III as keynote speaker and honor City Councilman John Lewis with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for his contributions to the struggle for voting rights and increasing Black voter registration, while the Mexican Tourist Industry and American Airlines will sponsor a door prize at the VEP dinner. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, October 24, 1983
Date Created
1983--10-24
Description
The Voter Education Project's Twenty-First Anniversary Banquet at the Atlanta Omni International Hotel on October 27, 7:30 P.M., will feature Congressman William H. Gray, III as keynote speaker and honor City Councilman John Lewis with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for his contributions to the struggle for voting rights and increasing Black voter registration, while the Mexican Tourist Industry and American Airlines will sponsor a door prize at the VEP dinner. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release on Bill Gray addressing the 21st dinner of the VEP at the Onmi in Atlanta. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Congressman Bill Gray Will Address the 21st Annual Dinner", October 14, 1983
Date Created
1983--10-14
Description
Press release on Bill Gray addressing the 21st dinner of the VEP at the Onmi in Atlanta. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on Richmond Hill, the first Black mayor in Georgia retiring at the age of 77, leaving behind a successful career that began with him working as a bellhop at an Atlanta hotel. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Georgia's First Black Mayor Retiring in May", February 21, 1983
Date Created
1983-02-21
Description
Article on Richmond Hill, the first Black mayor in Georgia retiring at the age of 77, leaving behind a successful career that began with him working as a bellhop at an Atlanta hotel. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American mayors, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
State Rep. Hosea Williams, whose 1981 conviction on charges of leaving the scene of an auto accident was overturned, is establishing a legal defense organization to represent poor, young people wrongfully convicted, and the proceeds from his book "The Cure Is The Ill" will go to this organization. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Hosea Williams Announces Legal Fund", circa 1985
Date Created
1982/1987
Description
State Rep. Hosea Williams, whose 1981 conviction on charges of leaving the scene of an auto accident was overturned, is establishing a legal defense organization to represent poor, young people wrongfully convicted, and the proceeds from his book "The Cure Is The Ill" will go to this organization. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African American civil rights worker, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Social conditions, Crime, African American teenagers
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article about how Black voters voted majority for Wyche Fowler for 5th Congressional District. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Blacks Voted 71 Percent for Fowler in 5th" December 9, 1982
Date Created
1982-12-09
Description
Article about how Black voters voted majority for Wyche Fowler for 5th Congressional District. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article about how Black voters voted majority for Wyche Fowler for 5th Congressional District. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Atlantans voted 2 to 1 for Rep. Fowler", December 7, 1982
Date Created
1982-12-07
Description
Article about how Black voters voted majority for Wyche Fowler for 5th Congressional District. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on the low percentage of voter turnout for GOP runoff elections and a VEP study on how Black voters were a very low percentage of that small group. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Just 2 Percent of Voters to Decide 5th District GOP Runoff", November 9, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-09
Description
Article on the low percentage of voter turnout for GOP runoff elections and a VEP study on how Black voters were a very low percentage of that small group. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on the low percentage of voter turnout for GOP runoff elections and a VEP study on how Black voters were a very low percentage of that small group. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"GOP Runoff May Get Just a 2 Percent Vote", November 9, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-09
Description
Article on the low percentage of voter turnout for GOP runoff elections and a VEP study on how Black voters were a very low percentage of that small group. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on the VEP celebrating their 20th anniversary. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"VEP celebrates 20th Year Here October 21", October 19, 1982
Date Created
1982-10-19
Description
Article on the VEP celebrating their 20th anniversary. 1 page.
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
Article on the VEP taking a break to celebrate the voting rights act and their successes in increasing the Black vote in the South. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Voter Drive Changes the South", October 17, 1982
Date Created
1982-10-17
Description
Article on the VEP taking a break to celebrate the voting rights act and their successes in increasing the Black vote in the South. 1 page.
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