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.
20 Objects displayed
AllCollectionsObjects
  1. Browse Repository
  2. Archival Collections
  3. Voter Education Project Organizational Records
For:
  • Subjects = Race discrimination
  • Decade = 1970-1979
Report from McMillan C. Baggett, then-Senior Staff Consultant of Public Research and Management, addressed to City Attorney George A. Glaze containing detailed statistics regarding College Park's neighborhood analysis and ward breakdown. According to the author, the provided housing data was accurate, while population estimates were based on vacancy rates and occupancy rates. Minority population estimates were difficult to obtain, and the figures presented were only approximations. 5 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
College Park Neighborhood Analysis Report, May 27, 1976
Date Created
1978-05-27
Description
Report from McMillan C. Baggett, then-Senior Staff Consultant of Public Research and Management, addressed to City Attorney George A. Glaze containing detailed statistics regarding College Park's neighborhood analysis and ward breakdown. According to the author, the provided housing data was accurate, while population estimates were based on vacancy rates and occupancy rates. Minority population estimates were difficult to obtain, and the figures presented were only approximations. 5 pages.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing a dispute in the city of College Park over redistricting. The black community demanded that two majority-black wards be created, but the city argued that this would require the creation of odd-shaped wards that would disrupt the delivery of city services. The Justice Department was given the responsibility of adjudicating over the city's proposal. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"College Park Tries To Cut 6 Even Slices", April 4, 1978
Date Created
1978-04-04
Description
Newspaper article describing a dispute in the city of College Park over redistricting. The black community demanded that two majority-black wards be created, but the city argued that this would require the creation of odd-shaped wards that would disrupt the delivery of city services. The Justice Department was given the responsibility of adjudicating over the city's proposal. 1 page.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Proposal from City Attorney George E. Glaze addressed to Donald P. Edwards containing College Park's submission for reconsideration in regard to the Justice Department's complaints of unfair annexations. The report contained the area's population, by race, of the prior districts, estimates of the area population, by race, of the annexed areas, population projections by 1980, by race of the proposed districts, information about racial bloc voting in the city, information about the public hearings and meetings that were held during the preparation of the proposed redistricting plan, and corrections and notations with respect to the city's submission and the Department of Justice's letter. 8 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
College Park Annexation Reconsideration Proposal, March 20, 1978
Date Created
1978-03-20
Description
Proposal from City Attorney George E. Glaze addressed to Donald P. Edwards containing College Park's submission for reconsideration in regard to the Justice Department's complaints of unfair annexations. The report contained the area's population, by race, of the prior districts, estimates of the area population, by race, of the annexed areas, population projections by 1980, by race of the proposed districts, information about racial bloc voting in the city, information about the public hearings and meetings that were held during the preparation of the proposed redistricting plan, and corrections and notations with respect to the city's submission and the Department of Justice's letter. 8 pages.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article regarding a redistricting violation suit brought forward by Johnny Robinson, Stan Alexander, and W.J. Freeman in College Park, in which they accused city officials of stalling on submitting information to the U.S. Justice Department about the city's redistricting plan. The plaintiffs in the voting rights suit said that the city is delaying in order to avoid having to hold another election, which they believed they would lose. The Justice Department objected to the city's redistricting plan because it did not provide adequate racial descriptions of the population. The plaintiffs urged the Justice Department to place a time limit on the city to respond to its mandate. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Leaders Tuesday Discussed Suit Brought By Neighborhood Voters' League," March 15, 1978
Date Created
1978-03-15
Description
Newspaper article regarding a redistricting violation suit brought forward by Johnny Robinson, Stan Alexander, and W.J. Freeman in College Park, in which they accused city officials of stalling on submitting information to the U.S. Justice Department about the city's redistricting plan. The plaintiffs in the voting rights suit said that the city is delaying in order to avoid having to hold another election, which they believed they would lose. The Justice Department objected to the city's redistricting plan because it did not provide adequate racial descriptions of the population. The plaintiffs urged the Justice Department to place a time limit on the city to respond to its mandate. 1 page.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing efforts made by the city to resolve a redistricting lawsuit, following allegations that the city of College Park delayed the redistricting process by not sending information to the U.S. Justice Department. City Attorney George Glaze denied these allegations, saying that the city had been working steadily on the case and that federal red tape bogged the work down. Glaze stated that the information the Justice Department requested would be mailed out within the week. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Officials Say City Is Trying", March 15, 1976
Date Created
1978-03-15
Description
Newspaper article describing efforts made by the city to resolve a redistricting lawsuit, following allegations that the city of College Park delayed the redistricting process by not sending information to the U.S. Justice Department. City Attorney George Glaze denied these allegations, saying that the city had been working steadily on the case and that federal red tape bogged the work down. Glaze stated that the information the Justice Department requested would be mailed out within the week. 1 page.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Proposal from V. R. Stuebing, Jr, Executive Vice President of Public Research and Management, Inc, addressed to City Attorney George E. Glaze containing research analysis regarding "Estimates of Current Population, By Race, of the Prior Districts", "Estimates of the Present Population, By Race, of the Annexed Areas to Which Objection Has Been Interposed", and "Projections of 1980 Population, By Race, of the Proposed Districts" in reference to a College Park's redistricting suit. 7 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
College Park Ward Redistricting Report, February 9, 1978
Date Created
1978-02-09
Description
Proposal from V. R. Stuebing, Jr, Executive Vice President of Public Research and Management, Inc, addressed to City Attorney George E. Glaze containing research analysis regarding "Estimates of Current Population, By Race, of the Prior Districts", "Estimates of the Present Population, By Race, of the Annexed Areas to Which Objection Has Been Interposed", and "Projections of 1980 Population, By Race, of the Proposed Districts" in reference to a College Park's redistricting suit. 7 pages.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article regarding a proposed redrawn district plan in College Park, following complaints that the former boundaries disallowed for fair representation of College Park's black residents on the City Council. The plan was met with mixed reactions, with some praising it for creating a majority-black ward and others criticizing it for not going far enough to ensure minority representation. The plan created six wards, with one ward having a majority-black population. The other wards had minority populations ranging from 25% to 35%. The plan also ensured that each ward had a roughly equal population. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Lines Are Finally Drawn On Ward Map", February 22, 1977
Date Created
1977-02-22
Description
Newspaper article regarding a proposed redrawn district plan in College Park, following complaints that the former boundaries disallowed for fair representation of College Park's black residents on the City Council. The plan was met with mixed reactions, with some praising it for creating a majority-black ward and others criticizing it for not going far enough to ensure minority representation. The plan created six wards, with one ward having a majority-black population. The other wards had minority populations ranging from 25% to 35%. The plan also ensured that each ward had a roughly equal population. 1 page.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing the College Park City Council's consideration of new ward boundaries to comply with the Voting Rights Act. The council considered about 10 proposals, and opted to select a plan with at least one majority black ward. The council also considered reviewing a third proposal by a group of black citizens calling for two majority black wards. The council's decision was subject to Justice Department approval before any plan could be implemented. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"College Park Must Redraw Ward Lines", February 13, 1977
Date Created
1977-02-13
Description
Newspaper article describing the College Park City Council's consideration of new ward boundaries to comply with the Voting Rights Act. The council considered about 10 proposals, and opted to select a plan with at least one majority black ward. The council also considered reviewing a third proposal by a group of black citizens calling for two majority black wards. The council's decision was subject to Justice Department approval before any plan could be implemented. 1 page.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing allegations from Black civil rights leaders in New Orleans that the Orleans Parish registrar of voters deliberately purged Blacks from the city's voting rolls. They claimed that the office was unfairly discriminating against Blacks in its annual purge of voters who had not cast ballots in the last two years, or who had moved without notifying the registrar's office of their change of address. They also charged that the office discriminated against Blacks in its choice of locations for branch registration offices, and that Blacks were discriminated against in employment by voter registrars' offices statewide. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Voter Purge Is Charged by Blacks", August 21, 1976
Date Created
1976-08-21
Description
Newspaper article describing allegations from Black civil rights leaders in New Orleans that the Orleans Parish registrar of voters deliberately purged Blacks from the city's voting rolls. They claimed that the office was unfairly discriminating against Blacks in its annual purge of voters who had not cast ballots in the last two years, or who had moved without notifying the registrar's office of their change of address. They also charged that the office discriminated against Blacks in its choice of locations for branch registration offices, and that Blacks were discriminated against in employment by voter registrars' offices statewide. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
This manual, compiled under a grant from the Voter Education Project (VEP), provides a list of significant election law changes in Georgia cities and counties since the effective date of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, with information on the status of legislation under Section 5 and limitations of the study, serving as a guide for notable changes in city and county election systems in Georgia, while recommending further consultation with the Federal Review of Voting Changes for questions about the mechanics of Section 5. 12 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Election Law Changes in Cities and Counties in Georgia", May 1976
Date Created
1976-05
Description
This manual, compiled under a grant from the Voter Education Project (VEP), provides a list of significant election law changes in Georgia cities and counties since the effective date of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, with information on the status of legislation under Section 5 and limitations of the study, serving as a guide for notable changes in city and county election systems in Georgia, while recommending further consultation with the Federal Review of Voting Changes for questions about the mechanics of Section 5. 12 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination, Voting, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article discussing the College Park City Council's 4-3 vote to allow a peaceful demonstration by the Neighborhood Voters League to be held in the city on March 25. The parade was designed to inform Bblack citizens about the redistricting suit brought by the Voters League. The redistricting was under reconsideration by the Justice Department. Mayor Ralph Presley broke the tie vote in favor of the parade. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"College Park Voters To Allow Black Parade On Redistrcting Suit", March 16, 1976
Date Created
1976-03-16
Description
Newspaper article discussing the College Park City Council's 4-3 vote to allow a peaceful demonstration by the Neighborhood Voters League to be held in the city on March 25. The parade was designed to inform Bblack citizens about the redistricting suit brought by the Voters League. The redistricting was under reconsideration by the Justice Department. Mayor Ralph Presley broke the tie vote in favor of the parade. 1 page.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Brochure from the Voter Education Project describing unfair voting practices across Southern states. 13 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Election 76, Not Equal for All Americans", 1976
Date Created
1976
Description
Brochure from the Voter Education Project describing unfair voting practices across Southern states. 13 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Race discrimination, Race relations, Political posters, Voter registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The article discusses the work of John Lewis, head of the Voter Education Project, which aims to register Black voters in 11 southern states, and has added 2.5 million new Black voters to the voting lists since 1965, and the significance of the Voting Rights Act, including the recent extension of the act by the US House of Representatives and Ronald Reagan's denial of knowledge of the act. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Through Hell at King Elbow", 1975
Date Created
1975
Description
The article discusses the work of John Lewis, head of the Voter Education Project, which aims to register Black voters in 11 southern states, and has added 2.5 million new Black voters to the voting lists since 1965, and the significance of the Voting Rights Act, including the recent extension of the act by the US House of Representatives and Ronald Reagan's denial of knowledge of the act. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, African American civic leaders, Race discrimination, African American civil rights workers, African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
List of administrative and legal barriers to minority political participation, which was included in the VEP's "Election Notebook." In the past, minorities in the Southern states faced a number of barriers to registering to vote and voting, including purges and reregistration, discriminatory location of polling places, intimidation and exclusion of minority poll workers, and legal barriers such as at-large voting requirements and malapportioned election districts. These barriers made it difficult for minorities to participate in the political process and undermined their right to vote. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Administrative and Legal Barriers to Minority Political Participation, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
List of administrative and legal barriers to minority political participation, which was included in the VEP's "Election Notebook." In the past, minorities in the Southern states faced a number of barriers to registering to vote and voting, including purges and reregistration, discriminatory location of polling places, intimidation and exclusion of minority poll workers, and legal barriers such as at-large voting requirements and malapportioned election districts. These barriers made it difficult for minorities to participate in the political process and undermined their right to vote. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Public address written by John R. Lewis urging people to renounce the racially-repugnant sentiments of Georgia politician J.B. Stoner and register to vote in order to protect their interests, written August 15, 1972. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"J.B. Stoner", August 15, 1972
Date Created
1972-08-15
Author
Lewis, John R.
Description
Public address written by John R. Lewis urging people to renounce the racially-repugnant sentiments of Georgia politician J.B. Stoner and register to vote in order to protect their interests, written August 15, 1972. 3 pages.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A magazine article exploring the ongoing racial tensions in the American South. 17 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"The American South: Rise of a New Confederacy", November 17, 1970
Date Created
1970--11-17
Description
A magazine article exploring the ongoing racial tensions in the American South. 17 pages.
Subject
Race relations, Race discrimination, Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A magazine article discussing the challenges faced by liberalism amid social change movements. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"A New Chance for Liberals", May 1970
Date Created
1970-05
Description
A magazine article discussing the challenges faced by liberalism amid social change movements. 3 pages.
Subject
Race relations, Race discrimination, Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newsletter published by Race Relations Information Center regarding race relations and school desegregation. 4 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Race Relations Reporter, No. 5, April 1, 1970
Date Created
1970--04-01
Description
A newsletter published by Race Relations Information Center regarding race relations and school desegregation. 4 pages.
Subject
Race relations, Race discrimination, Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Segregation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping highlighting the progress and challenges of race relations in the South. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Decade of Black Struggle Has Mixed Result in South", February 8, 1970
Date Created
1970--02-08
Description
A newspaper clipping highlighting the progress and challenges of race relations in the South. 2 pages.
Subject
Race relations, Race discrimination, Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Flyer from the Lunenburg County, Virginia branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) asking Black citizens to not support segregated newspapers. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Lunenburg County NAACP, circa 1970
Date Created
1968/1972
Description
Flyer from the Lunenburg County, Virginia branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) asking Black citizens to not support segregated newspapers. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Race discrimination, Race relations, Political posters, Voter registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records