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 = Voting
  • Subjects = African American civic leaders
Andrew Young, a prominent civil rights activist and former United Nations ambassador, failed to become Georgia's first Black governor in a run-off election, despite efforts to build a multiracial coalition and attract businesses to the state. The article highlights the challenges faced by Black candidates in the South, including a lack of support from White voters and an inability to mobilize enough Black voters to win statewide races. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Young Lost for Many Reasons", 1990
Date Created
1990
Description
Andrew Young, a prominent civil rights activist and former United Nations ambassador, failed to become Georgia's first Black governor in a run-off election, despite efforts to build a multiracial coalition and attract businesses to the state. The article highlights the challenges faced by Black candidates in the South, including a lack of support from White voters and an inability to mobilize enough Black voters to win statewide races. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African American civil rights worker, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, Voting, African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"City commission term may be over before court decides on McLean suit", and "This time out, Black voters got their message across", articles on Jack McLean's delayed trial hearing and how increased Black voting turnout helped elect more Black political leaders and flip parties in some elections. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"City Commission Term May Be Over Before Court Decides on McLean Suit", November 8, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-08
Description
"City commission term may be over before court decides on McLean suit", and "This time out, Black voters got their message across", articles on Jack McLean's delayed trial hearing and how increased Black voting turnout helped elect more Black political leaders and flip parties in some elections. 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders, Political participation, Voting, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Testimony of Geraldine G. Thompson before the subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights of the House Judiciary Committee.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Testimony of Geraldine G. Thompson," June 23, 1981
Date Created
1981-06-23
Description
Testimony of Geraldine G. Thompson before the subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights of the House Judiciary Committee.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African American women, African Americans--Politics and government, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Speech given at a rally in Richmond, Virginia by Vivian M. Jones regarding the VEP.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Speech From Richmond, Virginia Rally, October 28, 1977
Date Created
1977-10-28
Description
Speech given at a rally in Richmond, Virginia by Vivian M. Jones regarding the VEP.
Subject
Speeches, African American civic leaders, Voting, Voter registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Speech delivered to the Hungry Club Forum of Atlanta by Vivian M. Jones regarding the VEP.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Speech Delivered to the Hungry Club Forum, October 19, 1977
Date Created
1977-10-19
Description
Speech delivered to the Hungry Club Forum of Atlanta by Vivian M. Jones regarding the VEP.
Subject
Speeches, African American civic leaders, Voting, Voter registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
This article describes the influential role that Rep. Andrew Young and the "Black Atlanta Connection" played in securing Jimmy Carter's election as President of the United States, with prominent Georgians and other figures supporting Carter's campaign through their political power, personal integrity, and outreach efforts to African American communities. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Atlanta Connection Did Well", November 6, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-06
Description
This article describes the influential role that Rep. Andrew Young and the "Black Atlanta Connection" played in securing Jimmy Carter's election as President of the United States, with prominent Georgians and other figures supporting Carter's campaign through their political power, personal integrity, and outreach efforts to African American communities. 2 pages.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation, African American civic leaders, African American mayors
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Flyer and memo advertising a meeting with Coretta King, Julian Bond, and John Lewis, as well as a chartered bus service to Selma, Alabama for the 10th anniversary of commemoration of "Bloody Sunday". 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Voting Rights Rally and March", 1975
Date Created
1975
Description
Flyer and memo advertising a meeting with Coretta King, Julian Bond, and John Lewis, as well as a chartered bus service to Selma, Alabama for the 10th anniversary of commemoration of "Bloody Sunday". 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Political posters, Voter registration, Voting, African American civil rights workers, African American civic leaders
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
Poster advertising a voter rally with John Lewis and Hosea Williams. Sponsored by the VEP and the United Voter Education and Registration Committee of Selma.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Voter Rally, April 22, 1974
Date Created
1974-04-22
Description
Poster advertising a voter rally with John Lewis and Hosea Williams. Sponsored by the VEP and the United Voter Education and Registration Committee of Selma.
Subject
Voting, Voter Registration, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Flyer for a voter rally featuring John Lewis and Hosea Williams in Selma Alabama, along with a VEP request for payment form. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Voter Rally, John Lewis and Hosea Williams", 1974
Date Created
1974
Description
Flyer for a voter rally featuring John Lewis and Hosea Williams in Selma Alabama, along with a VEP request for payment form. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Political posters, Voter registration, Voting, African American civil rights workers, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Statement by Julian Bond reviewing the Voting Rights Tour of Mississippi.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Statement by Julian Bond," July 1, 1971
Date Created
1971-07-01
Description
Statement by Julian Bond reviewing the Voting Rights Tour of Mississippi.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Statement by John Lewis reviewing the Voting Rights Tour of Mississippi.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Statement by John Lewis," July 1, 1971
Date Created
1971-07-01
Description
Statement by John Lewis reviewing the Voting Rights Tour of Mississippi.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Statement by John Lewis reviewing the Voting Rights Tour of Mississippi.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Statement by John Lewis," July 1, 1971
Date Created
1971-07-01
Description
Statement by John Lewis reviewing the Voting Rights Tour of Mississippi.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence sent from John Lewis to Attorney General John Mitchell regarding voter registration in Mississippi.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between John Lewis and John Mitchell, April 19, 1971
Date Created
1971-04-19
Description
Correspondence sent from John Lewis to Attorney General John Mitchell regarding voter registration in Mississippi.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
County-by-county survey by the Voter Education Project, Inc. that found that Black voter registration in Tennessee stood at 242,000, while white registration was 1,600,000. The survey was conducted by VEP Research Assistant Claude Clopton and was the first such comprehensive effort to determine the level of Black registration in Tennessee since 1960. Mr. Clopton's survey found that levels of registration were fairly high in counties with large Black populations, indicating that voter discrimination was not now a major problem in Tennessee at the time of the survery. 6 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, January 31, 1971
Date Created
1971-01-31
Description
County-by-county survey by the Voter Education Project, Inc. that found that Black voter registration in Tennessee stood at 242,000, while white registration was 1,600,000. The survey was conducted by VEP Research Assistant Claude Clopton and was the first such comprehensive effort to determine the level of Black registration in Tennessee since 1960. Mr. Clopton's survey found that levels of registration were fairly high in counties with large Black populations, indicating that voter discrimination was not now a major problem in Tennessee at the time of the survery. 6 pages.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A report describing the work of interns in the Georgia Legislature. 4 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Legislative Internship Program Report, January 1971
Date Created
1971-01
Description
A report describing the work of interns in the Georgia Legislature. 4 pages.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders, African American students
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A copy of a newspaper clipping with accompanying correspondence regarding an increase in the number of Black elected officials in the South. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Upward The Black, Down South", December 1, 1970
Date Created
1970--12-01
Description
A copy of a newspaper clipping with accompanying correspondence regarding an increase in the number of Black elected officials in the South. 2 pages.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing the candidates for Governor of Georgia and the increase in Black political power in the state. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Negro Voters A stir in the Peach State", June 6, 1970
Date Created
1970--06-06
Description
A newspaper clipping describing the candidates for Governor of Georgia and the increase in Black political power in the state. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A report published by the Metropolitan Applied Research Center detailing the increase in Black elected officials. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Elected Officials Increase Markedly Since 1968", April 3, 1970
Date Created
1970--04-03
Description
A report published by the Metropolitan Applied Research Center detailing the increase in Black elected officials. 2 pages.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping referencing Vernon Jordan and Ben Brown's possible run for Congress. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"2 Negroes Sticking to Congress Plans", December 12, 1969
Date Created
1969-12-12
Description
A newspaper clipping referencing Vernon Jordan and Ben Brown's possible run for Congress. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records