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 = Race discrimination
  • Subjects = African Americans--Politics and government
The article discusses the challenges faced by Black politicians, such as Andrew Young, who are seeking higher office in predominantly White areas, due to the resistance they face from White voters. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Why the Higher Rungs of Power Elude Black Politicians", February 26, 1989
Date Created
1989-02-26
Description
The article discusses the challenges faced by Black politicians, such as Andrew Young, who are seeking higher office in predominantly White areas, due to the resistance they face from White voters. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Race discrimination, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding an analysis of the mayoralty and councilmanic elections in College Park, Georgia. The analysis found that there were numerous obstacles to full and fair Black political participation in College Park, including the election date, the location of the polls, and the way registration lists and registration data were maintained. The analysis also found that Blacks were more likely to be purged from the voter rolls than whites. VEP Executive Director Gerri Thompson said that the obstacles in College Park were typical of cities and other jurisdictions throughout the South where Blacks struggled for a fair share of political power. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, May 22, 1985
Date Created
1985-05-22
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding an analysis of the mayoralty and councilmanic elections in College Park, Georgia. The analysis found that there were numerous obstacles to full and fair Black political participation in College Park, including the election date, the location of the polls, and the way registration lists and registration data were maintained. The analysis also found that Blacks were more likely to be purged from the voter rolls than whites. VEP Executive Director Gerri Thompson said that the obstacles in College Park were typical of cities and other jurisdictions throughout the South where Blacks struggled for a fair share of political power. 2 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
This report describes the efforts to discredit and reduce the participation of Black leaders and voters in five counties in Alabama through various means, including criminal charges and investigations into voting fraud, as well as the indictment of several Black civil rights activists on charges of conspiracy to commit voting fraud. 5 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Fact Sheet on Federal Jury Investigations and Indictments of Black Leaders in Alabama for Voter Fraud", 1985
Date Created
1985
Description
This report describes the efforts to discredit and reduce the participation of Black leaders and voters in five counties in Alabama through various means, including criminal charges and investigations into voting fraud, as well as the indictment of several Black civil rights activists on charges of conspiracy to commit voting fraud. 5 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The author alerts their research findings to show more racial polarization in the November 6 election than the exit polls, and disagrees with those who claim exit polls are more accurate, citing examples of discrepancies in past elections and flaws in sampling and self-reporting, and challenges the argument that behavior in mixed precincts is different from all-Black or all-white precincts, and suggests that exit polls gain credibility through exposure but may not necessarily be accurate. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence From Brian to Geraldine Thompson, November 28, 1984
Date Created
1984-11-28
Description
The author alerts their research findings to show more racial polarization in the November 6 election than the exit polls, and disagrees with those who claim exit polls are more accurate, citing examples of discrepancies in past elections and flaws in sampling and self-reporting, and challenges the argument that behavior in mixed precincts is different from all-Black or all-white precincts, and suggests that exit polls gain credibility through exposure but may not necessarily be accurate. 2 pages.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"More Blacks are turning to the politics of frustration", "Federal workers await voter registration rule", and "Rev. Jesse Jackson and his "tribal politics". 6 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"More Blacks are Turning to the Politics of Frustration", July 15, 1984
Date Created
1984-07-15
Description
"More Blacks are turning to the politics of frustration", "Federal workers await voter registration rule", and "Rev. Jesse Jackson and his "tribal politics". 6 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Voter registration, Race discrimination, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Discrimination Hearing Set", "DeKalb awaiting justice review of vote legislation", and " A Sumter County non-solution". 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Discrimination Hearing Set", "Dekalb Awaiting Justice Review of Vote Legislation", May 24, 1984
Date Created
1984-05-24
Description
"Discrimination Hearing Set", "DeKalb awaiting justice review of vote legislation", and " A Sumter County non-solution". 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Race discrimination, Dispute Resolution
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on how the Voter Education Project plans to file a lawsuit against Pulaski County seeking to abolish the one-member county commission in 24 Georgia counties, arguing that they are unconstitutional and discriminate against minorities. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Anderson Says VEP Lawsuit Has Little Support in Pulaski", December 21, 1983
Date Created
1983-12-21
Description
Article on how the Voter Education Project plans to file a lawsuit against Pulaski County seeking to abolish the one-member county commission in 24 Georgia counties, arguing that they are unconstitutional and discriminate against minorities. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Atlanta-based Voter Education Project, led by Charles McCant, plans to challenge a county in federal court by January 14, 1984 in their effort to dismantle "one man governing boards" in Georgia that they deem undemocratic and Nazi-like, with a determination based on the Black voting age population in the targeted county and a focus on examining the racial composition of county boards of education during their tour of five counties from December 12-16. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"One Man County Boards Targeted for Lawsuit", December 8, 1983
Date Created
1983--12-08
Description
The Atlanta-based Voter Education Project, led by Charles McCant, plans to challenge a county in federal court by January 14, 1984 in their effort to dismantle "one man governing boards" in Georgia that they deem undemocratic and Nazi-like, with a determination based on the Black voting age population in the targeted county and a focus on examining the racial composition of county boards of education during their tour of five counties from December 12-16. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civil rights workers, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Audio recording a panel discussion on the development of Black involvement and participation in U.S. politics in the 20th century. The speakers discuss the circumstances that have helped secure Black elected officials' victories, focusing particularly on the election of Harold Washington as mayor of Chicago.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Black Involvement in Politics, April 29, 1983
Date Created
1983-04-29
Description
Audio recording a panel discussion on the development of Black involvement and participation in U.S. politics in the 20th century. The speakers discuss the circumstances that have helped secure Black elected officials' victories, focusing particularly on the election of Harold Washington as mayor of Chicago.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Audio recording of a panel discussion regarding the voting patterns of white and Black voters in the United States. The speaker discusses how the Republican and Democratic parties have appealed to both white and Black voters through campaigns to increase membership. The speaker also discusses how bringing Black voters into the fold has helped the Democratic Party increase its political power.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Side 1: D. Goins Panel Discussion 3.45 April 28th, 1983. Side 2: D. Goins
Date Created
1983-04-28
Description
Audio recording of a panel discussion regarding the voting patterns of white and Black voters in the United States. The speaker discusses how the Republican and Democratic parties have appealed to both white and Black voters through campaigns to increase membership. The speaker also discusses how bringing Black voters into the fold has helped the Democratic Party increase its political power.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Audio recording of a panel discussion on the development of Black involvement and participation in U.S. politics in the 20th century. Two Black academics discuss how the specific processes and mechanisms of Congress can both limit and expand Black political power within the government, and how the formation of coalitions within the government provided success for voting rights legislation.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Side One: 4-2 The US Congress and Black Americans 4/28/83, 1:45-3:15
Date Created
1983-04-28
Description
Audio recording of a panel discussion on the development of Black involvement and participation in U.S. politics in the 20th century. Two Black academics discuss how the specific processes and mechanisms of Congress can both limit and expand Black political power within the government, and how the formation of coalitions within the government provided success for voting rights legislation.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Six Tift County voters are filing a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Valdosta, challenging the county's at-large methods of electing members to the county commission and county board of education, alleging that the present at-large system of voting discriminates against Black voters in Tift County, and asking the court to establish election districts to choose members of the two bodies. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Suit Challenges Tift's Method of Elections", January 20, 1983
Date Created
1983-01-20
Description
Six Tift County voters are filing a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Valdosta, challenging the county's at-large methods of electing members to the county commission and county board of education, alleging that the present at-large system of voting discriminates against Black voters in Tift County, and asking the court to establish election districts to choose members of the two bodies. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Race discrimination, African Americans--Civil rights, Dispute Resolution
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Fourteen organizations in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights have urged the Senate to reject President Reagan's nominees for the U.S. Civil Rights Commission and protect the commission's independence from political influence, due to concerns that the nominees share Reagan's opposition to hiring goals, quotas, and busing as remedies for discrimination. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Rights Groups Oppose Reagan", 1983
Date Created
1983
Description
Fourteen organizations in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights have urged the Senate to reject President Reagan's nominees for the U.S. Civil Rights Commission and protect the commission's independence from political influence, due to concerns that the nominees share Reagan's opposition to hiring goals, quotas, and busing as remedies for discrimination. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on the growing events and clashes of the Klan with the Black population, and how this could be tied to changes in politics. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Klan Activity on the Rise, U.S. Official Says", March 3, 1982
Date Created
1982-03-03
Description
Article on the growing events and clashes of the Klan with the Black population, and how this could be tied to changes in politics. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on a racial discrimination lawsuit against a Brunswick, Georgia high school, claiming two Black students were treated unfairly because of a fight and subsequent boycotts from other Black school students. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"McIntosh Schools are Sued", circa 1982
Date Created
1980/1984
Description
Article on a racial discrimination lawsuit against a Brunswick, Georgia high school, claiming two Black students were treated unfairly because of a fight and subsequent boycotts from other Black school students. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Race discrimination, African American students
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
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