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.
39 Objects displayed
AllCollectionsObjects
  1. Browse Repository
  2. Archival Collections
  3. Voter Education Project Organizational Records
For:
  • Subjects = Political science
The article discusses the primary runoff system in Southern US states and its potential impact on Black voters, as well as its effectiveness in promoting consensus-building and preventing rule by cliques, but also its drawbacks such as increased costs and a proliferation of candidates. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Reviewing the Runoff System", July 15, 1983
Date Created
1983-07-15
Description
The article discusses the primary runoff system in Southern US states and its potential impact on Black voters, as well as its effectiveness in promoting consensus-building and preventing rule by cliques, but also its drawbacks such as increased costs and a proliferation of candidates. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release on how the Voter Education Project found that one-third of counties in eleven southern states had a Black population of 27% or higher in 1980, with opportunities for voter registration and turnout activities. Mississippi had the most Black majority counties, and South Carolina had the highest percentage of counties with 27% or higher Black populations. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Voter Increase for 1980s", May 14, 1982
Date Created
1982-05-14
Description
Press release on how the Voter Education Project found that one-third of counties in eleven southern states had a Black population of 27% or higher in 1980, with opportunities for voter registration and turnout activities. Mississippi had the most Black majority counties, and South Carolina had the highest percentage of counties with 27% or higher Black populations. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release on a study of the 1981 Atlanta Municipal elections by the Voter Education Project shows that Blacks alone provided enough votes to elect Andrew Young on October 27. Blacks won all four municipal elections in majority Black constituencies, and whites cast an even higher percentage of their votes for white candidates. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Votes for Andrew Young", November 4, 1981
Date Created
1981-11-04
Description
Press release on a study of the 1981 Atlanta Municipal elections by the Voter Education Project shows that Blacks alone provided enough votes to elect Andrew Young on October 27. Blacks won all four municipal elections in majority Black constituencies, and whites cast an even higher percentage of their votes for white candidates. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release on how the VEP found that in the October 6, 1981 City of Atlanta municipal elections, four white candidates won in majority Black districts and all three elections in majority white districts, while Black mayoral candidates received 57% of the total vote and the highest percentage (58%) of registered voters cast ballots in the mayoral election. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"White Candidates Winning Elections in Majority Black Districts", October 23, 1981
Date Created
1981-10-23
Description
Press release on how the VEP found that in the October 6, 1981 City of Atlanta municipal elections, four white candidates won in majority Black districts and all three elections in majority white districts, while Black mayoral candidates received 57% of the total vote and the highest percentage (58%) of registered voters cast ballots in the mayoral election. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release on how 95% of Black registered voters in the South who turned out in the 1980 presidential election voted for Jimmy Carter, with a range of 92-97% in different states. Ronald Reagan won only 82,000 Black votes, ranging from 2-6% of the total Black vote. The study found that socioeconomic differences among Southern Blacks did not significantly affect their voting behavior. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Voter Participation in 1980 Presidential Election", December 12, 1980
Date Created
1980-12-12
Description
Press release on how 95% of Black registered voters in the South who turned out in the 1980 presidential election voted for Jimmy Carter, with a range of 92-97% in different states. Ronald Reagan won only 82,000 Black votes, ranging from 2-6% of the total Black vote. The study found that socioeconomic differences among Southern Blacks did not significantly affect their voting behavior. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on the 1976 election, and how the VEP made spot-checks of predominantly Black precincts in each of the 11 southern states and determined that, on average, between 60 and 70 percent of all registered Blacks turned out to vote, with over 95 percent estimated to have voted for Jimmy Carter for President. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Expert Says Voting Rights Denied Eleven Years Marked Victory", November 13, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-13
Description
Article on the 1976 election, and how the VEP made spot-checks of predominantly Black precincts in each of the 11 southern states and determined that, on average, between 60 and 70 percent of all registered Blacks turned out to vote, with over 95 percent estimated to have voted for Jimmy Carter for President. 1 page.
Subject
African American civil rights workers, Political participation, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on a group of combat veterans, who were formerly foot-soldiers of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, gathered to relive the civil rights campaigns of the 1960s, and talked about the early days of the organization and their struggles, and reflected on their current involvement in good causes, such as elected politics, labor organizing, community projects, and health care. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Combat Veterans Relive Civil Rights Campaigns", November 10, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-10
Description
Article on a group of combat veterans, who were formerly foot-soldiers of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, gathered to relive the civil rights campaigns of the 1960s, and talked about the early days of the organization and their struggles, and reflected on their current involvement in good causes, such as elected politics, labor organizing, community projects, and health care. 1 page.
Subject
African American civil rights workers, Political participation, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article arguing that Jimmy Carter did not bring back the old Democratic South, but instead won the support of Black and moderate White voters who were previously disenfranchised, and that this demographic shift may lead to a shedding of conservatism in the South. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Carter Lost the Confederacy but Captured the New South", November 10, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-10
Description
Article arguing that Jimmy Carter did not bring back the old Democratic South, but instead won the support of Black and moderate White voters who were previously disenfranchised, and that this demographic shift may lead to a shedding of conservatism in the South. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The VEP launched a voter mobilization tour which aimed to visit all 11 southern states before election day, and featured a combination of voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts, with a focus on educating and motivating nonparticipating segments of society to take an active role in selecting government leaders and having a voice in decisions affecting collective lives. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Voter Education Project on Voter Mobilization Tour", September 19, 1976
Date Created
1976-09-19
Description
The VEP launched a voter mobilization tour which aimed to visit all 11 southern states before election day, and featured a combination of voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts, with a focus on educating and motivating nonparticipating segments of society to take an active role in selecting government leaders and having a voice in decisions affecting collective lives. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Political science, African Americans--Civil rights, African American civil rights workers
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Federal Election Commission authorized the League of Women Voters to sponsor the proposed presidential campaign debates between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, which are expected to cost $150,000 each and start about the third week in September, but there remains a question regarding the role of independent candidates like conservative Lister Maddox and liberal Eugene McCarthy, who have indicated they will go to court if necessary to force the networks to give them equal time with the two major candidates. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Women Voters to Sponsor Debates", August 31, 1976
Date Created
1976-08-31
Description
The Federal Election Commission authorized the League of Women Voters to sponsor the proposed presidential campaign debates between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, which are expected to cost $150,000 each and start about the third week in September, but there remains a question regarding the role of independent candidates like conservative Lister Maddox and liberal Eugene McCarthy, who have indicated they will go to court if necessary to force the networks to give them equal time with the two major candidates. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Political science, African Americans--Civil rights, African American civil rights workers, African American women
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on the status of the proposed presidential debates between Jimmy Carter and President Ford. Carter speaks on the need for the president to have closer control over the Federal Reserve Board, while Ford meets with his Cabinet and Carter campaigns for votes. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Ford, Carter Clash on Proposed Debates", August 31, 1976
Date Created
1976-08-31
Description
Article on the status of the proposed presidential debates between Jimmy Carter and President Ford. Carter speaks on the need for the president to have closer control over the Federal Reserve Board, while Ford meets with his Cabinet and Carter campaigns for votes. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article about negotiators for President Ford and Jimmy Carter tentatively settling on three nationally televised campaign debates beginning the third week in September 1976. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Debates Get Tentative Agreement", August 31, 1976
Date Created
1976-08-31
Description
Article about negotiators for President Ford and Jimmy Carter tentatively settling on three nationally televised campaign debates beginning the third week in September 1976. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The article discusses the upcoming presidential debates between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, as well as the potential problems that may arise, including financing issues and opposition from other presidential candidates. It also touches on the candidates' campaign strategies and their views on various issues, including Medicaid fraud and foreign policy. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"No Agreement on Debates", August 31, 1976
Date Created
1976-08-31
Description
The article discusses the upcoming presidential debates between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, as well as the potential problems that may arise, including financing issues and opposition from other presidential candidates. It also touches on the candidates' campaign strategies and their views on various issues, including Medicaid fraud and foreign policy. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article about the Federal Election Commission authorizing the League of Women Voters to sponsor and raise money for the proposed presidential campaign debates between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, with the remaining question being the role of independent candidates like Lester Maddox and Eugene McCarthy. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Ford, Carter, Debated Details Pondered", August 31, 1976
Date Created
1976-08-31
Description
Article about the Federal Election Commission authorizing the League of Women Voters to sponsor and raise money for the proposed presidential campaign debates between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, with the remaining question being the role of independent candidates like Lester Maddox and Eugene McCarthy. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A coalition of labor and civil rights groups called the National Coalition on Black Voter Participation has launched Operation Big Vote, a bipartisan registration drive aimed at registering millions of Black voters who have never voted before, with Democrats Jimmy Carter and Walter F. Mondale likely to be the major beneficiaries of any increase in Black voter participation. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Drive to Register Blacks is Opened", August 25, 1976
Date Created
1976-08-25
Description
A coalition of labor and civil rights groups called the National Coalition on Black Voter Participation has launched Operation Big Vote, a bipartisan registration drive aimed at registering millions of Black voters who have never voted before, with Democrats Jimmy Carter and Walter F. Mondale likely to be the major beneficiaries of any increase in Black voter participation. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Political science, African Americans--Civil rights, African American civil rights workers, Labor
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John Lewis, Executive Director of the Atlanta-based Voter Education Project, displays Proclamations from Governors of ten southern states designating July as �Voter registration Month�. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John Lewis, July 29, 1976
Date Created
1976-07-29
Description
John Lewis, Executive Director of the Atlanta-based Voter Education Project, displays Proclamations from Governors of ten southern states designating July as �Voter registration Month�. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Political science, African Americans--Civil rights, African American civil rights workers
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Federal Regulations, with the objective of making the registration and voting process for language minority groups comparable to that of English speakers, and providing guidance on compliance with Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. 6 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Department of Justice, Voting Rights Act Interim Guidelines Regarding Language Minority Groups, October 3, 197
Date Created
1975-10-03
Description
Federal Regulations, with the objective of making the registration and voting process for language minority groups comparable to that of English speakers, and providing guidance on compliance with Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. 6 pages.
Subject
Voter registration, Political science, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Editorial discussing the opposing views of Mayor Jackson and Senator Talmadge on extending the 1965 Voting Rights Act, with the former supporting its extension and the latter opposing it because it does not cover the entire nation, but ultimately recommends that the bill should be extended regardless of the Senator's proposed amendment. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Voting Rights Act Still Needed", July 17, 1975
Date Created
1975-07-17
Description
Editorial discussing the opposing views of Mayor Jackson and Senator Talmadge on extending the 1965 Voting Rights Act, with the former supporting its extension and the latter opposing it because it does not cover the entire nation, but ultimately recommends that the bill should be extended regardless of the Senator's proposed amendment. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Political science, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
John Lewis testified before a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee, stating that the southern states had not complied with the Voting Rights Act, and permanent voting rights protection was needed, as citizenship education efforts had been hampered by noncompliance with the Act. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Permanent Voting Rights Protection Needed", April 1975
Date Created
1975-04
Description
John Lewis testified before a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee, stating that the southern states had not complied with the Voting Rights Act, and permanent voting rights protection was needed, as citizenship education efforts had been hampered by noncompliance with the Act. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Political science, African Americans--Civil rights, African American civil rights workers
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Joint Center for Political Studies publication with articles on extending the Voting Rights Act and urban homesteading. 16 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Focus: The New Frontier in Our Cities, Vol. 3, No. 1, November 1974
Date Created
1974-11
Description
Joint Center for Political Studies publication with articles on extending the Voting Rights Act and urban homesteading. 16 pages.
Subject
Voting, African Americans--Civil rights, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records