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
  • Subjects = African Americans--Politics and government
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
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
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 Bond's decision not to run for Congress due to possible funding issues, opting for the more reliable outcome of his Senate seat. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Bond's Choice Hides Seed of Hope", September 9, 1982
Date Created
1982-09-09
Description
Article on Bond's decision not to run for Congress due to possible funding issues, opting for the more reliable outcome of his Senate seat. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Political participation, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
An analysis showed that there was little difference between the way Black and White Atlantans voted for the candidates with the highest percentages of votes in the city, and despite a 20% gap between the Black and White voting age population, one third of those registered to vote actually went to the polls, with Norman Underwood and Jack Watson receiving the highest percentages of votes. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, August 20, 1982
Date Created
1982--08-20
Description
An analysis showed that there was little difference between the way Black and White Atlantans voted for the candidates with the highest percentages of votes in the city, and despite a 20% gap between the Black and White voting age population, one third of those registered to vote actually went to the polls, with Norman Underwood and Jack Watson receiving the highest percentages of votes. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, Voting, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The General Election of 1982, Fulton County, study examines the impact of racial and regional voting behaviors on the race for governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state. 15 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The General Election of Fulton County, 1982
Date Created
1982
Author
Brimah, K. Farouk
Description
The General Election of 1982, Fulton County, study examines the impact of racial and regional voting behaviors on the race for governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state. 15 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Politics and government, Voting, African Americans--Civil rights, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article discussing the candidacy qualification of 50 Atlanta residents to run for office in the 1981 city elections. The race for mayor was viewed as particularly competitive, with Former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young and state Rep. Sidney Marcus considered the front-runners. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"50 Candidates Pay Their Qualifying Fees For Atlanta City Elections", August 19, 1981
Date Created
1981-08-19
Description
Newspaper article discussing the candidacy qualification of 50 Atlanta residents to run for office in the 1981 city elections. The race for mayor was viewed as particularly competitive, with Former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young and state Rep. Sidney Marcus considered the front-runners. 1 page.
Subject
Political campaigns, African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Atlanta's Black elected officials, with a list of each candidate's names and positions held. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Atlanta's Black Elected Officials", November 1980
Date Created
1980-11
Description
Atlanta's Black elected officials, with a list of each candidate's names and positions held. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The 5th District council race in Atlanta between incumbent Morris Finley and challenger Hosea Williams has been marked by accusations of improper tactics and mudslinging, with Williams relying on theatrics to win and Finley focusing on his record, while Williams paints him as a tool of the downtown business power structure and a slumlord, and the two face a runoff election after a laborious recount that failed to produce a winner. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Finley, Williams Go Through the Mill to Get to 5th District Runoff", by Katheryn Hayes, circa 1980
Date Created
1977/1983
Description
The 5th District council race in Atlanta between incumbent Morris Finley and challenger Hosea Williams has been marked by accusations of improper tactics and mudslinging, with Williams relying on theatrics to win and Finley focusing on his record, while Williams paints him as a tool of the downtown business power structure and a slumlord, and the two face a runoff election after a laborious recount that failed to produce a winner. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Political participation, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Eight candidates, including Fulton County Commissioner Reginald Eaves, have qualified to run for mayor in the upcoming Atlanta election, with the qualifying period ending on Thursday, and the only poll that matters to the candidates is the one on Oct 6. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Eaves, 3 More Qualify in October Mayoral Election", by T. L. Wells, circa 1980
Date Created
1977/1983
Description
Eight candidates, including Fulton County Commissioner Reginald Eaves, have qualified to run for mayor in the upcoming Atlanta election, with the qualifying period ending on Thursday, and the only poll that matters to the candidates is the one on Oct 6. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Political participation, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project describing the impact of the Black vote in the 1976 presidential election. The report found that the Black vote was decisive in several states, including South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. In these states, the Black vote helped to elect Jimmy Carter as president and other Black candidates to local and state offices. The report also found that the Black turnout rate was higher than ever before, with an estimated 60-70% of registered Black voters casting ballots. This was due in part to the efforts of the VEP and other organizations that worked to register and mobilize Black voters. 4 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, November 7, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-07
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project describing the impact of the Black vote in the 1976 presidential election. The report found that the Black vote was decisive in several states, including South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. In these states, the Black vote helped to elect Jimmy Carter as president and other Black candidates to local and state offices. The report also found that the Black turnout rate was higher than ever before, with an estimated 60-70% of registered Black voters casting ballots. This was due in part to the efforts of the VEP and other organizations that worked to register and mobilize Black voters. 4 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Presidents
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence from John R. Lewis, then-Director of the Voter Education Project, addressed to President-Elect Jimmy Carter congratulating Carter on his 1976 victory in the 1976 Presidential Election. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence from John R. Lewis to President Elect Jimmy Carter, November 4, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-04
Description
Correspondence from John R. Lewis, then-Director of the Voter Education Project, addressed to President-Elect Jimmy Carter congratulating Carter on his 1976 victory in the 1976 Presidential Election. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Presidents
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Flyer for President Jimmy Carter's Presidential Election Celebration, held by the 1976 Democratic Presidential Campaign Committee, Inc at the World Congress Center on November 2, 1976. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Jimmy Carter Election Celebration" Flyer, November 2, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-02
Description
Flyer for President Jimmy Carter's Presidential Election Celebration, held by the 1976 Democratic Presidential Campaign Committee, Inc at the World Congress Center on November 2, 1976. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Presidents
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Statistical analysis of the Fulton County Black vote for President, conducted by Clarence A. Bacote, including information regarding total registered voters, total votes for Carter, and total votes for Ford in the 1976 Presidential Election. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Statistical Analysis of Black Vote for President in Fulton County, November 2, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-02
Description
Statistical analysis of the Fulton County Black vote for President, conducted by Clarence A. Bacote, including information regarding total registered voters, total votes for Carter, and total votes for Ford in the 1976 Presidential Election. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Presidents, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Flyer for a "Get Out the Vote" Peanut Roast and Rally held before the 1976 Presidential Election, featuring guests like Congressman Andrew Young, Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller, and Mayor Maynard Jackson, held on November 1, 1976 in Central City Park. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Get Out the Vote Peanut Roast" Flyer, November 1, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-01
Description
Flyer for a "Get Out the Vote" Peanut Roast and Rally held before the 1976 Presidential Election, featuring guests like Congressman Andrew Young, Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller, and Mayor Maynard Jackson, held on November 1, 1976 in Central City Park. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Presidents
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondate campaign envelope addressed to John R. Lewis during the 1976 Presidential Campaign. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Jimmy Carter Campaign Envelope Adressed to John R. Lewis, October 28, 1976
Date Created
1976-10-28
Description
Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondate campaign envelope addressed to John R. Lewis during the 1976 Presidential Campaign. 1 page.
Subject
Political campaigns, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Presidents
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper printed photo of John R. Lewis, Executive Director of the Voter Education Project, Gail Fisher, televison actress, Coretta Scott-King, widow of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Jimmy Carter, former Georgia Governor and 1976 Democratic nominee for President, at the VEP's Third Annual Benefit Dinner. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Jimmy Carter with John Lewis and Coretta Scott-King, September 2, 1976
Date Created
1976-09-02
Description
Newspaper printed photo of John R. Lewis, Executive Director of the Voter Education Project, Gail Fisher, televison actress, Coretta Scott-King, widow of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Jimmy Carter, former Georgia Governor and 1976 Democratic nominee for President, at the VEP's Third Annual Benefit Dinner. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Presidents
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records