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 = 1980-1989
  • Subjects = African Americans--Civil rights
VEP press release on how eleven southern states now have a Black population of 27% or higher, which could lead to better representation in government positions. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
1980 Black Voter Population Press Release, May 14, 1982
Date Created
1982-05-14
Description
VEP press release on how eleven southern states now have a Black population of 27% or higher, which could lead to better representation in government positions. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article discussing the candidacy qualification of 50 Atlanta residents to run for office in the 1981 city elections. The race for mayor was viewed as particularly competitive, with Former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young and state Rep. Sidney Marcus considered the front-runners. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"50 Candidates Pay Their Qualifying Fees For Atlanta City Elections", August 19, 1981
Date Created
1981-08-19
Description
Newspaper article discussing the candidacy qualification of 50 Atlanta residents to run for office in the 1981 city elections. The race for mayor was viewed as particularly competitive, with Former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young and state Rep. Sidney Marcus considered the front-runners. 1 page.
Subject
Political campaigns, African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta
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
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
Press release on the VEP announcing the list of speakers and discussion leaders for VEP's Contemporary Voting Rights Conference, which will focus on the Voting Rights Act Reauthorization, redistricting, and reapportionment, featuring Julian Bond, Leslie Burl McLemore, Robert Walker, Gerald Jones, Victor McTeer, Frank Parker, Laughlin McDonald, and Henry Kirksey, among others. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Announcement of Speakers for the VEP's Contemporary Voting Rights Conference", September 29, 1981
Date Created
1981-09-29
Description
Press release on the VEP announcing the list of speakers and discussion leaders for VEP's Contemporary Voting Rights Conference, which will focus on the Voting Rights Act Reauthorization, redistricting, and reapportionment, featuring Julian Bond, Leslie Burl McLemore, Robert Walker, Gerald Jones, Victor McTeer, Frank Parker, Laughlin McDonald, and Henry Kirksey, among others. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, African American civic leaders, African American civil rights workers
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release on Geraldine G. Thompson being appointed as the Executive Director of the Voter Education Project, Inc. 6 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Appointment of Geraldine Thompson As the Executive Director of VEP", June 19, 1981
Date Created
1981-06-19
Description
Press release on Geraldine G. Thompson being appointed as the Executive Director of the Voter Education Project, Inc. 6 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, African American women, African American civic leaders, African American civil rights workers
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP report on how historically, Blacks and other minorities have faced barriers in their attempts to participate effectively in the electoral process, including voter registration, voting, and candidacy, due to lack of interest and affirmative attempts by officials, inconvenient registration practices, inadequate information, physical and economic intimidation, discriminatory regulations and enforcement, and other forms of intimidation. 10 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Barriers to Effective Participation in Electoral Politics" by Richard A. Hudlin and K. Farouk Brimah, March 1
Date Created
1981-03
Description
VEP report on how historically, Blacks and other minorities have faced barriers in their attempts to participate effectively in the electoral process, including voter registration, voting, and candidacy, due to lack of interest and affirmative attempts by officials, inconvenient registration practices, inadequate information, physical and economic intimidation, discriminatory regulations and enforcement, and other forms of intimidation. 10 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Voting, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
This report discusses the historical barriers faced by Blacks and other minorities in their attempts to participate effectively in electoral processes, including registration, voting, candidacy, physical and economic intimidation, fair and effective representation, and the impact of the Voting Rights Act. It outlines specific obstacles within each of these areas, including a lack of interest or affirmative action by officials to encourage minority participation, inconvenient locations or times for registration and voting, inadequate minority personnel, insufficient information about policies and procedures, restrictions on third party or independent candidates, and physical and economic intimidation. 10 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Barriers to Effective Participation in Electoral Politics", VEP Report, 1981
Date Created
1981
Description
This report discusses the historical barriers faced by Blacks and other minorities in their attempts to participate effectively in electoral processes, including registration, voting, candidacy, physical and economic intimidation, fair and effective representation, and the impact of the Voting Rights Act. It outlines specific obstacles within each of these areas, including a lack of interest or affirmative action by officials to encourage minority participation, inconvenient locations or times for registration and voting, inadequate minority personnel, insufficient information about policies and procedures, restrictions on third party or independent candidates, and physical and economic intimidation. 10 pages.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation, Race discrimination, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Report on the VEP being dedicated to promoting participatory democracy among minorities in the southern states, where historical discrimination has excluded Blacks and Chicanos from government processes, and seeks to increase minority political participation through various means such as voter registration, advocacy, research, and public support, despite facing challenges from those in power who view it as a threat to the status quo, and aims to eliminate barriers to minority political power through persistent organizing efforts and financial resources, with the ultimate goal of achieving unrestricted minority political participation for the benefit of future generations. 22 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Barriers to Minority Political Progress in the South" by Archie E. Allen, circa 1981
Date Created
1978/1984
Description
Report on the VEP being dedicated to promoting participatory democracy among minorities in the southern states, where historical discrimination has excluded Blacks and Chicanos from government processes, and seeks to increase minority political participation through various means such as voter registration, advocacy, research, and public support, despite facing challenges from those in power who view it as a threat to the status quo, and aims to eliminate barriers to minority political power through persistent organizing efforts and financial resources, with the ultimate goal of achieving unrestricted minority political participation for the benefit of future generations. 22 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, Voting, Race discrimination
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on how Bibb County Black voters outnumbered White voters for the fist time in two elections. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Bibb Voter Patterns Revealed in Two Prior Elections", September 19, 1982
Date Created
1982-09-19
Description
Article on how Bibb County Black voters outnumbered White voters for the fist time in two elections. 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, Voting, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article about how Black voters voted majority for Wyche Fowler for 5th Congressional District. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Atlantans voted 2 to 1 for Rep. Fowler", December 7, 1982
Date Created
1982-12-07
Description
Article about how Black voters voted majority for Wyche Fowler for 5th Congressional District. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting
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
Article with list of participants and book review of "the Jews of Tin Pan Alley". 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black, Jewish Leaders Create New Coalition", April 16, 1982
Date Created
1982-04-16
Description
Article with list of participants and book review of "the Jews of Tin Pan Alley". 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on 35 Black officials to meet with the state's only Black pollster to discuss informing the community to keep them involved in active political participation to get results. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Officials, Pollster to Discuss Political Issues", December 9, 1982
Date Created
1982-12-09
Description
Article on 35 Black officials to meet with the state's only Black pollster to discuss informing the community to keep them involved in active political participation to get results. 1 page.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release on how the Voter Education Project found that one-third of counties in eleven southern states had a Black population of 27% or higher in 1980, with opportunities for voter registration and turnout activities. Mississippi had the most Black majority counties, and South Carolina had the highest percentage of counties with 27% or higher Black populations. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Voter Increase for 1980s", May 14, 1982
Date Created
1982-05-14
Description
Press release on how the Voter Education Project found that one-third of counties in eleven southern states had a Black population of 27% or higher in 1980, with opportunities for voter registration and turnout activities. Mississippi had the most Black majority counties, and South Carolina had the highest percentage of counties with 27% or higher Black populations. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release on how 95% of Black registered voters in the South who turned out in the 1980 presidential election voted for Jimmy Carter, with a range of 92-97% in different states. Ronald Reagan won only 82,000 Black votes, ranging from 2-6% of the total Black vote. The study found that socioeconomic differences among Southern Blacks did not significantly affect their voting behavior. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Voter Participation in 1980 Presidential Election", December 12, 1980
Date Created
1980-12-12
Description
Press release on how 95% of Black registered voters in the South who turned out in the 1980 presidential election voted for Jimmy Carter, with a range of 92-97% in different states. Ronald Reagan won only 82,000 Black votes, ranging from 2-6% of the total Black vote. The study found that socioeconomic differences among Southern Blacks did not significantly affect their voting behavior. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Report from the Census Bureau examining voter turnout in the 1988 presidential election. The report found that voter turnout among Black Americans decreased from 56% in 1984 to 52% in 1988, with white voter turnout also decreasing from 61% to 59%, while Hispanic voter turnout fell from 33% to 29%. The report also found that Black voter turnout was higher in the North and West than it was in the South. Among Whites, voter turnout was higher in the North and West than in the South. Overall, the report found that registration rates among Black Americans, White Americans, and Hispanic Americans all decreased from 1984 to 1988. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Voter Turnout and Registration Rates Fall In Last Presidential Election, Census Bureau Reports", March
Date Created
1989-03-08
Description
Report from the Census Bureau examining voter turnout in the 1988 presidential election. The report found that voter turnout among Black Americans decreased from 56% in 1984 to 52% in 1988, with white voter turnout also decreasing from 61% to 59%, while Hispanic voter turnout fell from 33% to 29%. The report also found that Black voter turnout was higher in the North and West than it was in the South. Among Whites, voter turnout was higher in the North and West than in the South. Overall, the report found that registration rates among Black Americans, White Americans, and Hispanic Americans all decreased from 1984 to 1988. 3 pages.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release on a study of the 1981 Atlanta Municipal elections by the Voter Education Project shows that Blacks alone provided enough votes to elect Andrew Young on October 27. Blacks won all four municipal elections in majority Black constituencies, and whites cast an even higher percentage of their votes for white candidates. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Votes for Andrew Young", November 4, 1981
Date Created
1981-11-04
Description
Press release on a study of the 1981 Atlanta Municipal elections by the Voter Education Project shows that Blacks alone provided enough votes to elect Andrew Young on October 27. Blacks won all four municipal elections in majority Black constituencies, and whites cast an even higher percentage of their votes for white candidates. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting, Political science
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The U.S. Census Bureau reported significant gains in housing and education for the African American population during the 1970-80 decade, with higher educational attainment, increased school enrollment, and rising homeownership levels, but income levels for Blacks still lagged behind those of Whites, and the gains were later tempered by increased unemployment, divorce rates, and the rise in the number of Black families headed by females, particularly during the economic downturn that began in 1974. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Blacks Registered Substantial Gains in 70, 80 Decade", August 23, 1983
Date Created
1983-08-23
Description
The U.S. Census Bureau reported significant gains in housing and education for the African American population during the 1970-80 decade, with higher educational attainment, increased school enrollment, and rising homeownership levels, but income levels for Blacks still lagged behind those of Whites, and the gains were later tempered by increased unemployment, divorce rates, and the rise in the number of Black families headed by females, particularly during the economic downturn that began in 1974. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Housing, African Americans--Education, African Americans--Civil rights, Demographic surveys
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article about how Black voters voted majority for Wyche Fowler for 5th Congressional District. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Blacks Voted 71 Percent for Fowler in 5th" December 9, 1982
Date Created
1982-12-09
Description
Article about how Black voters voted majority for Wyche Fowler for 5th Congressional District. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records