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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The article discusses the results of the debates between President Reagan and Walter F. Mondale, highlighting the fact that, despite Reagan's shortcomings in terms of working hours, knowledge of important issues, coherence, and embarrassing public utterances, he comes across as a good-natured man who is liked even better for those faults and is likely to win the election. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"'Good Natured Man' Reagan Has the Voters Under His Spell", October 24, 1984
Date Created
1984-10-24
Description
The article discusses the results of the debates between President Reagan and Walter F. Mondale, highlighting the fact that, despite Reagan's shortcomings in terms of working hours, knowledge of important issues, coherence, and embarrassing public utterances, he comes across as a good-natured man who is liked even better for those faults and is likely to win the election. 1 page.
Subject
Political campaigns, Political participation, Presidents
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project renouncing an assassination attempt against President Ronald Reagan as a shocking act of violence that ought to be condemned by all people of good will. The statement called for a renewed dedication to working non-violently to bring about a climate of safety, equality in our society, and for the politics of violence to be stoppped. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, March 31, 1981
Date Created
1981-03-31
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project renouncing an assassination attempt against President Ronald Reagan as a shocking act of violence that ought to be condemned by all people of good will. The statement called for a renewed dedication to working non-violently to bring about a climate of safety, equality in our society, and for the politics of violence to be stoppped. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, Presidents, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article discussing Black leaders rallying in support of Vernon Jordan, who criticized the Carter administration's record on civil rights and social programs. Benjamin Hooks, executive director of the NAACP, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson also echoed Jordan's criticisms. Carter defended his record, but there were indications that a rift was developing between the White House and Black leaders. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Leaders Support Jordan Attack on Carter", July 27, 1977
Date Created
1977-07-27
Description
Newspaper article discussing Black leaders rallying in support of Vernon Jordan, who criticized the Carter administration's record on civil rights and social programs. Benjamin Hooks, executive director of the NAACP, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson also echoed Jordan's criticisms. Carter defended his record, but there were indications that a rift was developing between the White House and Black leaders. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements, Presidents
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper op-ed by Vernon E. Jordan, Executive Director of the National Urban League, describing the the ways in which the the Black vote was a decisive factor in the 1976 presidential election. Black voters turned out in record numbers and voted overwhelmingly for Jimmy Carter. This helped Carter win several key states in the South, which ultimately gave him the victory. The high Black turnout was due in part to the efforts of non-partisan black organizations, such as the Joint Center for Political Studies, the Voter Education Project, and the NAACP. These organizations educated Black voters and encouraged them to register and vote. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"The Black Vote Elected Carter", November 20, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-20
Description
Newspaper op-ed by Vernon E. Jordan, Executive Director of the National Urban League, describing the the ways in which the the Black vote was a decisive factor in the 1976 presidential election. Black voters turned out in record numbers and voted overwhelmingly for Jimmy Carter. This helped Carter win several key states in the South, which ultimately gave him the victory. The high Black turnout was due in part to the efforts of non-partisan black organizations, such as the Joint Center for Political Studies, the Voter Education Project, and the NAACP. These organizations educated Black voters and encouraged them to register and vote. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Presidents, Presidents
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper op-ed describing they ways in which Black voters in Wisconsin played a decisive role in Jimmy Carter's victory in the state. They turned out in record numbers and voted overwhelmingly for Carter, helping him to win by a narrow margin. Becaused of this, Black leaders called on Carter to respond to their proposals, including more representation in government and a reversal of the Nixon-Ford neglect of Black communities. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Now It's Carter's Time to Help Blacks", November 16, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-16
Description
Newspaper op-ed describing they ways in which Black voters in Wisconsin played a decisive role in Jimmy Carter's victory in the state. They turned out in record numbers and voted overwhelmingly for Carter, helping him to win by a narrow margin. Becaused of this, Black leaders called on Carter to respond to their proposals, including more representation in government and a reversal of the Nixon-Ford neglect of Black communities. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Presidents
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing the role played by the overwhelming turnout of Black voters in the 1976 presidential election in securing Jimmy Carter's victory in the South. Black voter turnout posed a critical problem for the Republican Party, which had previously made steady gains in the South since the 1950s. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Political Analysts Ponder Heavy Black Vote for Carter", November 14, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-14
Description
Newspaper article describing the role played by the overwhelming turnout of Black voters in the 1976 presidential election in securing Jimmy Carter's victory in the South. Black voter turnout posed a critical problem for the Republican Party, which had previously made steady gains in the South since the 1950s. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Presidents
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article regarding how the Southern Black vote in the 1976 presidential election was the most decisive and influential single exercise of minority political power in this century. The Voter Education Project (VEP) conducted a preliminary survey of the effect of the Black vote on November 2, and found that between 60 and 70 percent of all registered Black voters turned out to vote. Over 95 percent of all southern Blacks were estimated to have cast their ballot for Jimmy Carter for President. The VEP study found that a recently-expanded base of registered Black voters and a record Black turnout combined to provide President-elect Jimmy Carter with the obvious margin of victory across the South, with the exception of Virginia. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Vote Did It", November 13, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-13
Description
Newspaper article regarding how the Southern Black vote in the 1976 presidential election was the most decisive and influential single exercise of minority political power in this century. The Voter Education Project (VEP) conducted a preliminary survey of the effect of the Black vote on November 2, and found that between 60 and 70 percent of all registered Black voters turned out to vote. Over 95 percent of all southern Blacks were estimated to have cast their ballot for Jimmy Carter for President. The VEP study found that a recently-expanded base of registered Black voters and a record Black turnout combined to provide President-elect Jimmy Carter with the obvious margin of victory across the South, with the exception of Virginia. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Presidents
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
Newspaper article regarding the rapid increase of Black voter registration and turnout, fueled by a tour of Black leaders. The tour, which included the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Coretta Scott King, was credited with dampening apathy among Black voters. The leaders urged Blacks to register and vote, arguing that their votes could be decisive in key cities such as Cleveland, New York, and Chicago. While it was too early to say how the increased voter registration would translate into votes, the leaders were hopeful that Blacks will turn out in large numbers on Election Day. They believed that the Black vote could be the difference between victory and defeat for Democratic candidate Jimmy Carter. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Blacks Are Pleased By Election Effort", October 31, 1976
Date Created
1976-10-31
Description
Newspaper article regarding the rapid increase of Black voter registration and turnout, fueled by a tour of Black leaders. The tour, which included the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Coretta Scott King, was credited with dampening apathy among Black voters. The leaders urged Blacks to register and vote, arguing that their votes could be decisive in key cities such as Cleveland, New York, and Chicago. While it was too early to say how the increased voter registration would translate into votes, the leaders were hopeful that Blacks will turn out in large numbers on Election Day. They believed that the Black vote could be the difference between victory and defeat for Democratic candidate Jimmy Carter. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Presidents
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article regarding the Voter Education Project's predictions that a record number of Black voters would cast ballots in the 1976 presidential election. VEP's prediction was based on reports of record Black voter registration in local drives conducted by the organization. VEP mounted advertising campaigns and more than 100 local drives to encourage voter registration and participation. The organization believed that the Black vote would be pivotal in the presidential election, as well as in hundreds of state and local elections. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Record Black Voter Turnout Seen In South", October 29, 1976
Date Created
1976-10-29
Description
Newspaper article regarding the Voter Education Project's predictions that a record number of Black voters would cast ballots in the 1976 presidential election. VEP's prediction was based on reports of record Black voter registration in local drives conducted by the organization. VEP mounted advertising campaigns and more than 100 local drives to encourage voter registration and participation. The organization believed that the Black vote would be pivotal in the presidential election, as well as in hundreds of state and local elections. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, 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 article regarding the Democratic Party's hopes that minority voters would turn out in large numbers to help Jimmy Carter win the election. However, there was a decline in Black voter participation in previous years. The Carter campaign worked hard to register and get out the vote among minority voters, but success was not guaranteed. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Democrats Spur Minority Turnout As Presidency Key", October 27, 1976
Date Created
1976-10-27
Description
Newspaper article regarding the Democratic Party's hopes that minority voters would turn out in large numbers to help Jimmy Carter win the election. However, there was a decline in Black voter participation in previous years. The Carter campaign worked hard to register and get out the vote among minority voters, but success was not guaranteed. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, 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
Newspaper article regarding Jimmy Carter's criticism of President Ford for being "timid, fearful and afraid to lead". He accused Ford of neglecting to mention his leadership record as President and of failing to address important issues such as trust, embarrassment, and shame. Carter also criticized the government's handling of the Medicaid program, which he said lost $4 billion a year through fraud, deficient patient care, maladministration, and the issuance of benefits to ineligible persons. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Carter Attacks Ford's Ability to Lead", August 31, 1976
Date Created
1976-08-31
Description
Newspaper article regarding Jimmy Carter's criticism of President Ford for being "timid, fearful and afraid to lead". He accused Ford of neglecting to mention his leadership record as President and of failing to address important issues such as trust, embarrassment, and shame. Carter also criticized the government's handling of the Medicaid program, which he said lost $4 billion a year through fraud, deficient patient care, maladministration, and the issuance of benefits to ineligible persons. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, Voter registration, Political campaigns, Presidents
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article regarding the uncertain status of the 1976 presidential debates. While Jimmy Carter asserted that plans for the televised confrontations were nearly set, but a spokesman for President Ford stated that no agreement was in sight. The proposed debates were to be a series of three debates, each lasting an hour and 15 minutes, beginning the third week in September. Despite the lack of an agreement, both campaigns prepared for the debates. Carter said that he preferred a format that allowed questioning on a wide variety of subjects, while Ford wanted questions limited in each debate to a specific issue. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Presidential Debates Debatable", August 31, 1976
Date Created
1976-08-31
Description
Newspaper article regarding the uncertain status of the 1976 presidential debates. While Jimmy Carter asserted that plans for the televised confrontations were nearly set, but a spokesman for President Ford stated that no agreement was in sight. The proposed debates were to be a series of three debates, each lasting an hour and 15 minutes, beginning the third week in September. Despite the lack of an agreement, both campaigns prepared for the debates. Carter said that he preferred a format that allowed questioning on a wide variety of subjects, while Ford wanted questions limited in each debate to a specific issue. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, Voter registration, Political campaigns, 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