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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Materials from the Voter Education Project's 25th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act Conference. The conference featured many events and speakers that honored the legacy of voting rights activism underlying VEP. VEP's work helped to pave the way for the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was responsible for spurring the most significant expansion of American democratic processes in the last half of the 20th century. However, VEP still faced challenges in the form of persisting social restraints to successful biracial politics and even some remaining legal barriers to the ballot. Nonetheless, the VEP made significant progress in expanding voting rights for African Americans, and its work was essential to ensuring that all Americans have a voice in our democracy. 211 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
From Protest to Politics 25th Anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act" Conference, November 16, 1990
Date Created
1990-11-16
Description
Materials from the Voter Education Project's 25th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act Conference. The conference featured many events and speakers that honored the legacy of voting rights activism underlying VEP. VEP's work helped to pave the way for the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was responsible for spurring the most significant expansion of American democratic processes in the last half of the 20th century. However, VEP still faced challenges in the form of persisting social restraints to successful biracial politics and even some remaining legal barriers to the ballot. Nonetheless, the VEP made significant progress in expanding voting rights for African Americans, and its work was essential to ensuring that all Americans have a voice in our democracy. 211 pages.
Subject
Political participation, Meetings, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, Voter registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence between Donald Hollowell and R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr. regarding the VEP Board's deliberations on the recommendations of the Special Committee of the Board.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Donald Hollowell and R. Roosevelt Thomas, September 20, 1985
Date Created
1985-09-20
Description
Correspondence between Donald Hollowell and R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr. regarding the VEP Board's deliberations on the recommendations of the Special Committee of the Board.
Subject
Associations, institutions, etc., Meetings
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project announcing the first Statewide Black Women's Conference on the campus of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday, June 22nd, 1985. The keynote speaker for the conference was set to be former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. The conference was designed to encourage Black women to participate in the political process and to become more involved in local politics. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, May 28, 1985
Date Created
1985-05-28
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project announcing the first Statewide Black Women's Conference on the campus of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday, June 22nd, 1985. The keynote speaker for the conference was set to be former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. The conference was designed to encourage Black women to participate in the political process and to become more involved in local politics. 2 pages.
Subject
Meetings, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American leadership
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project featuring the Voter Education Project's calls on South Carolinians to contact their Senators and encourage them to support the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. VEP also announced a Contemporary Voting Rights Conference on February 20 at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. The conference was to provide information and resources on the Voting Rights Act, redistricting, and reapportionment. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, February 5, 1982
Date Created
1983-02-05
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project featuring the Voter Education Project's calls on South Carolinians to contact their Senators and encourage them to support the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. VEP also announced a Contemporary Voting Rights Conference on February 20 at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. The conference was to provide information and resources on the Voting Rights Act, redistricting, and reapportionment. 1 page.
Subject
Meetings, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, Voter registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Executive Committee meeting agenda for the Voter Education Project that includes a progress report from Executive Director Geraldine Thompson, a statement of revenues and operating expenses, a list of trustees, and bylaws governing the activities of the Board of Directors. 20 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Executive Committee Meeting Agenda, September 9, 1981
Date Created
1981-09-09
Description
Executive Committee meeting agenda for the Voter Education Project that includes a progress report from Executive Director Geraldine Thompson, a statement of revenues and operating expenses, a list of trustees, and bylaws governing the activities of the Board of Directors. 20 pages.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Meetings, African American leadership
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
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
"Carter Will Speak At VEP Benefit", August 29, 1976
Date Created
1976-08-29
Description
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.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Meetings, Presidents
Collection
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
"Carter To Address VEP Benefit Banquet", August 25, 1976
Date Created
1976-08-25
Description
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.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Meetings, Presidents
Collection
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
"Carter Due to Talk Here", August 23, 1976
Date Created
1976-08-23
Description
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.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Meetings, Presidents
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A North Carolina VEP booklet explaining the electoral process in the state.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"How to be an Effective Party Member" Booklet, 1972
Date Created
1972
Description
A North Carolina VEP booklet explaining the electoral process in the state.
Subject
Political participation, Meetings
Collection
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
VEP Press Release, October 14, 1971
Date Created
1971-10-14
Description
VEP press release asking for an investigation into the disruption of a citizenship education workshop in Canton, Mississippi.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Meetings
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Peace Through Political Power" program including a schedule, outline of events, and song lyrics.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Peace Through Political Power" Program, June 28, 1971
Date Created
1971-06-28
Description
"Peace Through Political Power" program including a schedule, outline of events, and song lyrics.
Subject
Special events, Meetings, African American civic leaders
Collection
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
"John Lewis, Julian Bond, The Voice of Our People" Program, June 23, 1971
Date Created
1971-06-23
Description
"John Lewis, Julian Bond, The Voice of Our People" program including a schedule, outline of events, and song lyrics.
Subject
Special events, Meetings, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article discussing the Voter Education Project's Southwide Conference of Black Elected Officials, which included workshops on problems affecting black elected officials. The conference was set to focus on the problems and challenges that black officials face, and provide them with an opportunity to share experiences and receive information. More than 200 black officials from 11 states in the old South planned to attend. The keynote speakers included U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, Congresswoman-elect Shirley Chisholm, and Mayor Richard Hatcher of Gary, Indiana. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"VEP Announces Southwide Conflab For Black Elected Officials", December 4, 1968
Date Created
1968-12-04
Description
Newspaper article discussing the Voter Education Project's Southwide Conference of Black Elected Officials, which included workshops on problems affecting black elected officials. The conference was set to focus on the problems and challenges that black officials face, and provide them with an opportunity to share experiences and receive information. More than 200 black officials from 11 states in the old South planned to attend. The keynote speakers included U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, Congresswoman-elect Shirley Chisholm, and Mayor Richard Hatcher of Gary, Indiana. 1 page.
Subject
Meetings, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American leadership
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article discussing plans for black officeholders to meet at a conference for Black officeholders from throughout the South held in Atlanta. The conference sought to discuss mutual problems facing Black officials, such as antagonism and prejudice. The conference expected attendance from 200 to 300 of the South's 380 Black officeholders. Key speakers included U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, Mayor Richard Hatcher of Gary, Indiana, and Rep.-elect Shirley Chisholm of New York. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Negro Officials to Meet", December 4, 1968
Date Created
1968-12-04
Description
Newspaper article discussing plans for black officeholders to meet at a conference for Black officeholders from throughout the South held in Atlanta. The conference sought to discuss mutual problems facing Black officials, such as antagonism and prejudice. The conference expected attendance from 200 to 300 of the South's 380 Black officeholders. Key speakers included U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, Mayor Richard Hatcher of Gary, Indiana, and Rep.-elect Shirley Chisholm of New York. 1 page.
Subject
Meetings, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American leadership
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A booklet explaining how to conduct a meeting according to "Robert's Ruler of Order."
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Parliamentary Procedure," July 13, 1968
Date Created
1968-07-13
Description
A booklet explaining how to conduct a meeting according to "Robert's Ruler of Order."
Subject
Meetings, Associations, institutions, etc.
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records