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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  • Decade = 1970-1979
Flyer depicting the struggle in Selma, Alabama, and urging young voters to exercise their right to vote so as to not revisit this horrible event. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"1965, Bloody Sunday, Selma", circa 1971
Date Created
1968/1975
Description
Flyer depicting the struggle in Selma, Alabama, and urging young voters to exercise their right to vote so as to not revisit this horrible event. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Political posters, Voter registration, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A Beginners Notebook on Political Participation, by VEP and the Interdenominational Theological Center Rural Black Church and Community Leadership Training Program, Illustrated by Avery Miller. 23 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"A Beginners Notebook on Political Participation", March 1976
Date Created
1976-03
Description
A Beginners Notebook on Political Participation, by VEP and the Interdenominational Theological Center Rural Black Church and Community Leadership Training Program, Illustrated by Avery Miller. 23 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Voting, African American churches
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
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
Street view of AFSCME headquarters.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
AFSCME Headquarters, circa 1977
Date Created
1975/1979
Description
Street view of AFSCME headquarters.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Buildings and grounds
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Agenda Strategic Conference on "Removing Administrative Obstacles to Voting" which includes location, schedule, and description of events. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Agenda Strategic Conference on "Removing Administrative Obstacles to Voting", April 17, 1972
Date Created
1972-04-17
Description
Agenda Strategic Conference on "Removing Administrative Obstacles to Voting" which includes location, schedule, and description of events. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Women--Societies and clubs, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Report on the "Great Equalizer" campaign, conducted by the Voter Education Project, was a successful public service media effort aimed at encouraging voter registration and participation in the 1976 elections, with high acceptance and usage rates among broadcast stations, reaching millions of viewers and listeners, and potentially contributing to increased voter turnout in the South, as indicated by higher registration figures compared to previous years. 13 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"An Evaluation of the Voter Education Projects Great Equalizer Campaign", 1976
Date Created
1976
Description
Report on the "Great Equalizer" campaign, conducted by the Voter Education Project, was a successful public service media effort aimed at encouraging voter registration and participation in the 1976 elections, with high acceptance and usage rates among broadcast stations, reaching millions of viewers and listeners, and potentially contributing to increased voter turnout in the South, as indicated by higher registration figures compared to previous years. 13 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, African American civil rights workers
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Benjamin Lawson Hooks is appointed as the Executive Director of the NAACP, bringing unique qualifications and experience to restore the organization to a sound financial footing and attract a younger generation, while also signaling that Black institutions deserve the best Black talents available. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Announcement for Benjamin Hooks at Executive Director of the NAACP, 1976
Date Created
1976
Description
Benjamin Lawson Hooks is appointed as the Executive Director of the NAACP, bringing unique qualifications and experience to restore the organization to a sound financial footing and attract a younger generation, while also signaling that Black institutions deserve the best Black talents available. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American civil rights workers, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
An invitation to the Annual Emancipation Day program with a list of guest speakers.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Annual Emancipation Day Program Invitation, Thursday, July 29, 1971
Date Created
1971-07-29
Description
An invitation to the Annual Emancipation Day program with a list of guest speakers.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article featuring the sentiments of John R. Lewis, Executive Director of the Voter Education Project, as he discussed the importance of voting and the challenges facing voter registration efforts in the South. Lewis argued that voter apathy and cynicism were among the major obstacles to increasing voter turnout, especially among young people. He also cited the lack of universal voter registration and the intimidation of Black voters by law enforcement as problems that needed to be addressed. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Apathy Irks Man Who Fought For Vote", October 10, 1976
Date Created
1976-10-10
Description
Newspaper article featuring the sentiments of John R. Lewis, Executive Director of the Voter Education Project, as he discussed the importance of voting and the challenges facing voter registration efforts in the South. Lewis argued that voter apathy and cynicism were among the major obstacles to increasing voter turnout, especially among young people. He also cited the lack of universal voter registration and the intimidation of Black voters by law enforcement as problems that needed to be addressed. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements
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
DeKalb County ballot box with voting booths in the distance.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Ballot Box, circa 1977
Date Created
1975/1979
Description
DeKalb County ballot box with voting booths in the distance.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Brochure from National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) New York chapter highlighting Black people who died for the right vote. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Ballots, Bullet, and Blood: How Blacks Have Died for the Right to Vote", circa 1970
Date Created
1968/1972
Description
Brochure from National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) New York chapter highlighting Black people who died for the right vote. 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American civil rights workers, African American leadership, Political posters, Voter registration
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP booklet outlining the barriers to voting at the local and state levels, and the efforts at the courts and polls to remove those barriers. 68 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Barriers to the Black Political Participation in North Carolina" by William H. Towe, March 1972
Date Created
1972-03
Description
VEP booklet outlining the barriers to voting at the local and state levels, and the efforts at the courts and polls to remove those barriers. 68 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Voting, Political participation
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
Newspaper article discussing Black leaders rallying in support of Vernon Jordan, who criticized the Carter administration's record on civil rights and social programs. Benjamin Hooks, executive director of the NAACP, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson also echoed Jordan's criticisms. Carter defended his record, but there were indications that a rift was developing between the White House and Black leaders. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Leaders Support Jordan Attack on Carter", July 27, 1977
Date Created
1977-07-27
Description
Newspaper article discussing Black leaders rallying in support of Vernon Jordan, who criticized the Carter administration's record on civil rights and social programs. Benjamin Hooks, executive director of the NAACP, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson also echoed Jordan's criticisms. Carter defended his record, but there were indications that a rift was developing between the White House and Black leaders. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Civil rights movements, Presidents
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence with an article discussing how John Lewis, a prominent figure in the American civil rights movement, has been instrumental in the progress of Black political participation in the South, citing evidence such as increased voter registration and elected officials, and how Black voters played a significant role in electing Jimmy Carter as President, highlighting Lewis's role as a symbol of progress from protest to political activism. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Passage, From Civil Rights to the Ballot Box", November 14, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-14
Description
Correspondence with an article discussing how John Lewis, a prominent figure in the American civil rights movement, has been instrumental in the progress of Black political participation in the South, citing evidence such as increased voter registration and elected officials, and how Black voters played a significant role in electing Jimmy Carter as President, highlighting Lewis's role as a symbol of progress from protest to political activism. 3 pages.
Subject
African American civil rights workers, Voter registration, African Americans--Civil rights, Protest movements
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article about how Black voters, both in rural and urban areas, played a decisive role in Jimmy Carter's victory in the 1976 presidential election, as they voted for him by ratios of 9 to 1, and the concentrated Black vote gave Carter the lead in the overall popular vote, as well as contributed importantly to his strength in crucial states in the South and major Northern industrial areas. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Vote Put Carter Over, Studies Reveal", November 5, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-05
Description
Article about how Black voters, both in rural and urban areas, played a decisive role in Jimmy Carter's victory in the 1976 presidential election, as they voted for him by ratios of 9 to 1, and the concentrated Black vote gave Carter the lead in the overall popular vote, as well as contributed importantly to his strength in crucial states in the South and major Northern industrial areas. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article recording remarks made during a Congressional session held on September 16, 1976 regarding Black voter participation. The speaker, "Mr. Glenn", noted the obstacles to Black voter participation in the United States, particularly in the South. Glenn cited examples of voter intimidation, discrimination, and harassment, and argued that these practices were still prevalent despite the passage of the Voting Rights Act. The author also highlighted the work of the Voter Education Project (VEP), in its work to register and mobilize Black voters. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Voter Participation," September 16, 1976
Date Created
1976-09-16
Description
Newspaper article recording remarks made during a Congressional session held on September 16, 1976 regarding Black voter participation. The speaker, "Mr. Glenn", noted the obstacles to Black voter participation in the United States, particularly in the South. Glenn cited examples of voter intimidation, discrimination, and harassment, and argued that these practices were still prevalent despite the passage of the Voting Rights Act. The author also highlighted the work of the Voter Education Project (VEP), in its work to register and mobilize Black voters. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing that Black voter participation in national elections was declining steadily during the 1970s, even as the number of Black elected officials on the state and local levels soared. There were a number of reasons for this decline, including cynicism about the political process and a lack of faith that government would respond to the needs of Black voters. Despite this decline, Black voters still possessed the opportunity to play a decisive role in the 1976 presidential election, particularly in key industrial states. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Voter Registration Declining", November 1, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-01
Description
Newspaper article describing that Black voter participation in national elections was declining steadily during the 1970s, even as the number of Black elected officials on the state and local levels soared. There were a number of reasons for this decline, including cynicism about the political process and a lack of faith that government would respond to the needs of Black voters. Despite this decline, Black voters still possessed the opportunity to play a decisive role in the 1976 presidential election, particularly in key industrial states. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records