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.

For:
  • Subjects = Women--Societies and clubs
  • Geographic Location = Washington (D.C.)
Correspondence Between Keller Bumgardner and Conference Participants, "Making Election Process Work Conference" in Columbia, South Carolina memorandum summarizing the conference recommendations. 5 pages.
"Facts: League of Women Voters of the United States 1973-74" brochure detailing the national program, community work, voters services, and publications. 5 pages.
League of Women Voters Education Fund brochure "Removing Administrative Obstacles to Voting" which guides communities on the obstacles to voting with attached memo to John Lewis. 11 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Materials for the August 15 Meeting in Washington" which includes drafts of the memorandum to local and state league Presidents, and pre-election guide to removing administrative obstacles to voting. 38 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Charlene Haykel and Members of the Election Systems Project Program Committee with invitation to the convention and reports of the committee meeting and "Hypothetical Case: Rural County". 5 pages.
Proposed agenda, Conference on Expanding the Electorate-Administrative Obstacles to Voting August 1-2, 1972 detailing schedule of events and programs. 2 pages.
Proposal to The Ford Foundation for $139,000 for A Follow-Up Action Program on Election Systems Project presented by the League of Women Voters Education fund. 20 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
An Invitation Strategy Conference "Removing Administrative Obstacles to Voting" with summary on the conference, arrangements, and list of participants. 4 pages.
Agenda Strategic Conference on "Removing Administrative Obstacles to Voting" which includes location, schedule, and description of events. 2 pages.
Correspondence between Fay Williams and Members of the Election Systems Project Program Committee with enclosed draft of the Report of the League of Women Voters Education Fund. 22 pages.
"Memo to Participants Re: Workshop Format" from League of Women Voters Education Fund summarizes the conference strategies. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Workshop on Experiences at Registration Places" schedule and outline of event which includes summary of administrative obstacles, discussion leaders, and workshop assignments. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
National Council of Negro Women "Register & Vote" poster stating Black American non-voting numbers. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Workshop on Experiences at Polling Places" schedule and outline of event which includes summary of administrative obstacles, discussion leaders, and workshop assignments. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence between Miss Susan Clarke and Rev. John B. Morris discussing enclosed press clippings. 1 page.
Correspondence between Vernon E. Jordan and Mrs. Lynnette Taylor, Frankie Freeman, and Bernice Turner concerning a Voter Education Project and Delta Sigma Theta collaboration. 12 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence between Thaddeus Olive, Jr. and Miss Lynette Taylor, Executive Director of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. with Oliver submitting enclosed list as requested. 1 page.
Correspondence between Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. and Miss Lynette Taylor with an enclosed list of resource people with public and private information to be used in your Regional Seminar. 4 pages.
Correspondence between Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. and Miss Lynette Taylor sharing information about Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.'s Social Action Program. 6 pages.
Correspondence between Frankie M. Freeman and Vernon Jordan confirming Jordan's participation as a panelist at a forum on Black Power at the ballot box. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records