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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  • Geographic Location = Alabama
A newspaper clipping containing multiple articles. Of interest are two articles, "100 Voters Registered in Drive Last Week" and "48 Voters Added in Registration Drive" which both detail voter registration initiatives. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"100 Voters Registered in Drive Last Week", July 14, 1962
Date Created
1962-07-14
Description
A newspaper clipping containing multiple articles. Of interest are two articles, "100 Voters Registered in Drive Last Week" and "48 Voters Added in Registration Drive" which both detail voter registration initiatives. 2 pages.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Booklet from the Alabama Board of Registrars reminding citizens that they must be registered to vote and have paid their poll tax in order to vote in the election. The Board offered special registration sessions in January and February, and citizens could also check their local Board of Registrars for additional dates. The Board also reminded citizens that persons over 45 years of age and veterans of wartime service may not have to pay the poll tax. Citizens with questions about the poll tax were directed to contact their judge of probate. 4 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"A Message From Governor George C. Wallace, 1966
Date Created
1966
Description
Booklet from the Alabama Board of Registrars reminding citizens that they must be registered to vote and have paid their poll tax in order to vote in the election. The Board offered special registration sessions in January and February, and citizens could also check their local Board of Registrars for additional dates. The Board also reminded citizens that persons over 45 years of age and veterans of wartime service may not have to pay the poll tax. Citizens with questions about the poll tax were directed to contact their judge of probate. 4 pages.
Subject
Political participation, Political campaigns, Voter registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping referencing two articles, outlined in red. The first article (center) describes a meeting of the Alabama Democratic Conference in which they condemn Governor George Wallace's racism. The other article, entitled "State Political Leaders Meet," references the annual meeting of the Alabama State Coordinating Association for Registration and Voting and a presentation by the Voter Education Project. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Ala. Negro Democrats Hit Wallace in 2-day Session", April 18, 1964
Date Created
1964-04-18
Description
A newspaper clipping referencing two articles, outlined in red. The first article (center) describes a meeting of the Alabama Democratic Conference in which they condemn Governor George Wallace's racism. The other article, entitled "State Political Leaders Meet," references the annual meeting of the Alabama State Coordinating Association for Registration and Voting and a presentation by the Voter Education Project. 2 pages.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political campaigns, Political participation, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Articles and photos from "Speakin' Out News" on the Alabama Democratic Conference. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Alabama Democratic Conference Semi-Annual Convention Held in Tuscaloosa, Alabama" March 24-April 13, 1982
Date Created
1982-03
Description
Articles and photos from "Speakin' Out News" on the Alabama Democratic Conference. 2 pages.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, African Americans--Civil rights, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping quoting U.S. Assistant Attorney General Burke Marshall and discussing the enactment of civil rights legislation. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Alabama in Sad Shape, Marshall", May 15, 1964
Date Created
1964-05-15
Description
A newspaper clipping quoting U.S. Assistant Attorney General Burke Marshall and discussing the enactment of civil rights legislation. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Report written by Marvin Wall detailing voter turnout in Alabama state elections.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Alabama Trip Report, 1966
Date Created
1966
Description
Report written by Marvin Wall detailing voter turnout in Alabama state elections.
Subject
Voting, Voter Registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Calendar of important election registration dates, organized by month, in Alabama. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Alabama Voting Registrars Calendar, June 27, 1962
Date Created
1962-06-27
Description
Calendar of important election registration dates, organized by month, in Alabama. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing the rejection of an Alabama state constitutional amendment. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Alabamans Defeat Vote Amendments", December 12, 1963
Date Created
1963-12-12
Description
A newspaper clipping describing the rejection of an Alabama state constitutional amendment. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping regarding election day. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Ballot Day in Alabama", May 6, 1964
Date Created
1964-05-06
Description
A newspaper clipping regarding election day. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Political participation, Political campaigns, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Voter Education Project found that in the 1984 presidential election, Black voter turnout exceeded 60% in Georgia and Alabama, with Alabama being the only southern state where Black voter turnout was not less than White voter turnout, and while President Reagan won both states, he only won 5% of the Black vote in Georgia and 7% of the Black vote in Alabama. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Blacks Turn Out in Alabama", and "More Georgia Blacks Voted in '84 than '80", December 30, 1984
Date Created
1984-12-30
Description
The Voter Education Project found that in the 1984 presidential election, Black voter turnout exceeded 60% in Georgia and Alabama, with Alabama being the only southern state where Black voter turnout was not less than White voter turnout, and while President Reagan won both states, he only won 5% of the Black vote in Georgia and 7% of the Black vote in Alabama. 1 page.
Subject
Groups and organizations, Political participation, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing candidates in the November elections. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Brief News Alabama", May 17, 1964
Date Created
1964-05-17
Description
A newspaper clipping describing candidates in the November elections. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, Political campaigns, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing members of the Miles College Citizenship Project offering "free transportation and baby-sitter services" for all non-voters who need assistance. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Citizenship Team of Miles College Urges Registration", January 11, 1964
Date Created
1964-01-11
Description
A newspaper clipping describing members of the Miles College Citizenship Project offering "free transportation and baby-sitter services" for all non-voters who need assistance. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, African American civil rights workers, African American students, African American universities and colleges
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence between Mr. Olive and Marjorie C. Hirth discussing finances with enclosed financial report. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Mr. Olive and Marjorie C. Hirth, July 25, 1968
Date Created
1968-07-25
Description
Correspondence between Mr. Olive and Marjorie C. Hirth discussing finances with enclosed financial report. 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Voter registration, Women--Societies and clubs, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Two correspondences and a telephone memo regarding the institution of new voter registration forms. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence from Bernice C. Johnson to Barbara Whitaker, March 4, 1964
Date Created
1964-03-04
Description
Two correspondences and a telephone memo regarding the institution of new voter registration forms. 3 pages.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence from W. C. Patton sent to organization leaders in Alabama, regarding a registration and voting initiative in Alabama. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence from the Alabama State Coordinating Association for Registration and Voting, June 27, 1962
Date Created
1962-06-27
Description
Correspondence from W. C. Patton sent to organization leaders in Alabama, regarding a registration and voting initiative in Alabama. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Voting, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence, memos, and sample documents related to a voter registration effort in Alabama. 11 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence from the Alabama State Coordinating Association for Registration and Voting with Memos and Samp
Date Created
1962-06
Description
Correspondence, memos, and sample documents related to a voter registration effort in Alabama. 11 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Voting, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A memorandum sent to Wiley A. Branton, executive director of the Voter Education Project, regarding barriers to voting. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence from W. C. Patton to Wiley Branton, June 30, 1962
Date Created
1962-06-30
Description
A memorandum sent to Wiley A. Branton, executive director of the Voter Education Project, regarding barriers to voting. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Voting, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
List of dates regarding the placement of federal examiners in various Southern states, organized by county. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
County Placement of Federal Examiners List, April 11, 1967
Date Created
1967-04-11
Description
List of dates regarding the placement of federal examiners in various Southern states, organized by county. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping with an article describing a push to register Black voters. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Every Potential Negro Voter Wanted on List of Real Voters, July 21, 1963
Date Created
1963-07-21
Description
A newspaper clipping with an article describing a push to register Black voters. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation, 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