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 = Political campaigns
  • Subjects = African Americans--Civil rights
Newspaper article discussing the resignation of Lee Atwater, chairman of the Republican National Committee, from the board of trustees of Howard University after students protested his appointment. Atwater had been criticized for his history of using racist political tactics, and the students argued that he did not represent the black agenda represented by the historically-Black college. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"GOP's Southern Strategy Singing the Atwater Blues", March 9, 1989
Date Created
1989-03-09
Description
Newspaper article discussing the resignation of Lee Atwater, chairman of the Republican National Committee, from the board of trustees of Howard University after students protested his appointment. Atwater had been criticized for his history of using racist political tactics, and the students argued that he did not represent the black agenda represented by the historically-Black college. 1 page.
Subject
Political campaigns, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Jesse Jackson urged Black students at Albany State College to join his "Rainbow Coalition" and register to vote in the 1984 presidential election, and also spoke to a convention of Black Baptists about the need for economic common ground and the restoration of moral tone in America, while expanding the Democratic Party and criticizing Congress for its refusal to pass a new Equal Rights Amendment and the recent deployment of U.S. cruise missiles in Europe and occupation of Grenada. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Students Answer Jackson's Plea by Registering", November 17, 1983
Date Created
1983-11-17
Description
Jesse Jackson urged Black students at Albany State College to join his "Rainbow Coalition" and register to vote in the 1984 presidential election, and also spoke to a convention of Black Baptists about the need for economic common ground and the restoration of moral tone in America, while expanding the Democratic Party and criticizing Congress for its refusal to pass a new Equal Rights Amendment and the recent deployment of U.S. cruise missiles in Europe and occupation of Grenada. 1 page.
Subject
Groups and organizations, African Americans--Civil rights, Political campaigns, Political participation, Voter registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Louisiana Black voters played a crucial role in electing Governor-elect Edwin Edwards with 93% of their votes in the open primary, and Voter Education Project officials stated that increasing Black voter registration could significantly increase their political power in future elections. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, November 10, 1983
Date Created
1983--11-10
Description
Louisiana Black voters played a crucial role in electing Governor-elect Edwin Edwards with 93% of their votes in the open primary, and Voter Education Project officials stated that increasing Black voter registration could significantly increase their political power in future elections. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Political participation, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Voter drive by NAACP set here", "Political coalition gearing up for Black voter registration drive", "Take the British system of political races, please", June 15, 1983 news clippings, and "Despite differences, Jews and Blacks still allies". 4 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Voter Drive by NAACP Set Here", June 15, 1983
Date Created
1983-06-15
Description
"Voter drive by NAACP set here", "Political coalition gearing up for Black voter registration drive", "Take the British system of political races, please", June 15, 1983 news clippings, and "Despite differences, Jews and Blacks still allies". 4 pages.
Subject
Groups and organizations, African Americans--Civil rights, Political campaigns, Political participation, Voter registration
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
Newspaper article describing Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson and Voter Education Project (VEP) Director John R. Lewis's plans to run for Congress. Jackson's top political advisor urged him not to run, but Jackson had not made an official decision yet. Lewis also had not made a decision, but he was encouraged by many people to run. State Rep. Mildred Glover was also expected to enter the race. She stated earlier that she did not want to run against Jackson, but she had since changed her mind. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Jackson Adviser Urges He Not Run for House", December 18, 1976
Date Created
1976-12-18
Description
Newspaper article describing Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson and Voter Education Project (VEP) Director John R. Lewis's plans to run for Congress. Jackson's top political advisor urged him not to run, but Jackson had not made an official decision yet. Lewis also had not made a decision, but he was encouraged by many people to run. State Rep. Mildred Glover was also expected to enter the race. She stated earlier that she did not want to run against Jackson, but she had since changed her mind. 1 page.
Subject
Political campaigns, African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, African American mayors
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 photo of Democratic presidential candidate Jimmy Carter with Martin Luther King Sr. prior to addressing members of the Voter Education Project in regards to an automatic voter registration bill. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Democratic Presidential Candidate Jimmy Carter with Rev. Martin Luther King Sr., August 31, 1976
Date Created
1976-08-31
Description
Newspaper photo of Democratic presidential candidate Jimmy Carter with Martin Luther King Sr. prior to addressing members of the Voter Education Project in regards to an automatic voter registration bill. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns, Presidents
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Booklet of Jimmy Carter's 1976 Presidential campaign materials, including statements of support, a public address from Carter, and articles about the campaign, prepared for the Democratic Convention. In his public address, Carter argued that while much progress had been done already, there was still much work to be done to achieve an end to poverty, discrimination, and corruption, and to create an honest government, compassionate, and responsive to the needs of the people. 20 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Jimmy Carter Democratic National Convention" Booklet, 1976
Date Created
1976
Description
Booklet of Jimmy Carter's 1976 Presidential campaign materials, including statements of support, a public address from Carter, and articles about the campaign, prepared for the Democratic Convention. In his public address, Carter argued that while much progress had been done already, there was still much work to be done to achieve an end to poverty, discrimination, and corruption, and to create an honest government, compassionate, and responsive to the needs of the people. 20 pages.
Subject
Political campaigns, Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing Georgia Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller's calls for all states to be brought under the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Miller said that the act, which was passed to ensure that all Americans, regardless of race, creed, or color, are not discriminated against at the polls, was only applied to seven states, including Georgia and Texas. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Zell Miller Vows Campaign To Make U.S. Voting Rights Act Nationwide", November 27, 1975
Date Created
1975-11-27
Description
Newspaper article describing Georgia Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller's calls for all states to be brought under the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Miller said that the act, which was passed to ensure that all Americans, regardless of race, creed, or color, are not discriminated against at the polls, was only applied to seven states, including Georgia and Texas. 1 page.
Subject
Political campaigns, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing Mayor Maynard Jackson of Atlanta criticism of U.S. Sen. Herman Talmadge for opposing the extension of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Jackson stated that the act was still needed to protect the right to vote for black people in Georgia. Jackson said that Talmadge was "ignorant" of the facts when he claimed that Black people enjoyed universal voter registration rights. He pointed to the fact that there were continuing violations of the Voting Rights Act in Georgia. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Jackson Assails Talmadge Stand", July 16, 1975
Date Created
1975-07-16
Description
Newspaper article describing Mayor Maynard Jackson of Atlanta criticism of U.S. Sen. Herman Talmadge for opposing the extension of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Jackson stated that the act was still needed to protect the right to vote for black people in Georgia. Jackson said that Talmadge was "ignorant" of the facts when he claimed that Black people enjoyed universal voter registration rights. He pointed to the fact that there were continuing violations of the Voting Rights Act in Georgia. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns, African American mayors
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A group of women and children hold signs by a street.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Campaigners with Signs, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
A group of women and children hold signs by a street.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African American children, Political campaigns, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A group of women and children hold signs by a street.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Campaigners with Signs, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
A group of women and children hold signs by a street.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African American children, Political campaigns, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A group of women and children hold signs by a street.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Campaigners with Signs, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
A group of women and children hold signs by a street.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African American children, Political campaigns, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Gerald Blessey talks to an audience of people during his political campaign.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Gerald Blessey Speaks to People During His Political Campaign, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
Gerald Blessey talks to an audience of people during his political campaign.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Gerald Blessey talks to a group of young people during his political campaign.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Gerald Blessey Speaks With a Group of Young Voters, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
Gerald Blessey talks to a group of young people during his political campaign.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Shirley Chisholm to Challenge White Males in Four Primaries" article published in the Washington Post detailing Re. Shirley Chisholm's candidacy for United States President. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Shirley Chisholm to Challenge White Males in Four Primaries" Article, October 7, 1971
Date Created
1971-10-07
Description
"Shirley Chisholm to Challenge White Males in Four Primaries" article published in the Washington Post detailing Re. Shirley Chisholm's candidacy for United States President. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American women, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Shirley Serious About the White House" article on The Washington Daily News detailing Ms. Chisholm's bid for the White House. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Shirley Serious About the White House" Article, September 14, 1971
Date Created
1971-09-14
Description
"Shirley Serious About the White House" article on The Washington Daily News detailing Ms. Chisholm's bid for the White House. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American women, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"NOW Chairman Against Nixon" article in the Chicago Sun Times detailing Ms. Chisholm's bid for the White House. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"NOW Chairman Against Nixon" Article, September 1, 1971
Date Created
1971-09-01
Description
"NOW Chairman Against Nixon" article in the Chicago Sun Times detailing Ms. Chisholm's bid for the White House. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American women, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Excerpt from Newsweek magazine section entitled Newsmakers that briefly detailed Ms. Chisholm's bid for Presidency. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newsweek Newsmakers Article, August 23, 1971
Date Created
1971-08-23
Description
Excerpt from Newsweek magazine section entitled Newsmakers that briefly detailed Ms. Chisholm's bid for Presidency. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American women, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records