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.

For:
  • Subjects = Meetings
  • Decade = 1970-1979
Newspaper article announcing former Governor Jimmy Carter as the keynote speaker for The Voter Education Project (VEP) Third Annual Benefit Dinner. Proceeds from the Dinner were used to support the VEP's efforts to register more than three and a half million people of voting age in the South who were not already registered. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article discussing plans for Governor Jimmy Carter to speak at the Voter Education Project's annual fundraising dinner. Proceeds from the event were to be used to support efforts to register more than three and a half million people of voting age in the South who were not yet registered. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article discussing plans for Governor Jimmy Carter to speak at the Voter Education Project's annual fundraising dinner. Coretta Scott King also agreed to sell tickets to the event in support of work increase voter registration and turnout among African Americans. VEP was credited with helping to register millions of black voters since its founding in 1962. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Vivian Malone Jones stands in a crowded room at a VEP meeting.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Vivian Malone Jones stands with a group of men and women.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Vivian Malone Jones speaks from a podium at an event.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A man speaks at a VEP event held in a library.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Audio recording of the Voter Education Project's annual benefit dinner, moderated by Rep. Andrew Young. Atlanta Commissioner of Administrative Services Emma Darnell leads the attendees in prayer. Governor Jimmy Carter gives a keynote speech about the importance of universal voter registration. Mayor Maynard Jackson emphasizes the positive impact of VEP on voter registration in the South, declaring May 4, 1974 as "VEP Day." John Lewis thanks the attendees for attending the benefit dinner. Senator Edward Kennedy gives a speech regarding the need for voter registration work and advocates for an extension of the Voting Rights Act. John Lewis talks with friend and assistant Archie Allen about how inequities in the legal system impact the lives of Black Americans. Lilian Miles thanks the attendees for their donations and commitment to voter registration. Harry Hughey offers closing remarks. Rabbi Alvin Sugarman gives the final prayer and benediction.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Audio recording of VEP's trustees and financial advisers discussing the Voter Education Project's administrative and financial matters for the upcoming year. VEP was a non-partisan, non-profit organization which conducted voter registration, voter turnout, and voter education campaigns in eleven southern states. They raised money primarily to support their voter campaign efforts.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A man speaks during a VEP meeting, while other people listen and take notes.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Vivian Malone Jones talks with another VEP member after a meeting.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A man sits in a classroom during a VEP meeting.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Vivian Malone Jones sits in a classroom at a VEP meeting.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Vivian Malone Jones speaks during a VEP meeting.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A man speaks during a VEP meeting.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A North Carolina VEP booklet explaining the electoral process in the state.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP press release asking for an investigation into the disruption of a citizenship education workshop in Canton, Mississippi.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Peace Through Political Power" program including a schedule, outline of events, and song lyrics.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"John Lewis, Julian Bond, The Voice of Our People" program including a schedule, outline of events, and song lyrics.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Two men sit in a church pew during a VEP meeting.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records