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
Agenda Strategic Conference on "Removing Administrative Obstacles to Voting" which includes location, schedule, and description of events. 2 pages.
Correspondence between Bernice Cook and Vernon Jordan requesting 30 copies of the Orangeburg Report for Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. 2 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.
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.
Correspondence between Florence R. Rubin and Mr. Sherrill Marcus with enclosed directory list. 8 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
Correspondence between Geraldine Thompson and Marlene K. Cohn discussing the final stages of developing a publication, "Electoral Participation: Gateway to Democracy" and outline of the publication. 3 pages.
Correspondence between J. Stanley Alexander and Mrs. Beatrice Clay detailing finances with enclosed Voter Education Project reports. 20 pages.
Correspondence between James Lewis and Mrs. James Cary discussion of board policy on not sharing membership list and declining request. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence between John Lewis and Constance S. Sparbel discussing obtaining Mr. Lewis' mailing list. 1 page.
Correspondence between John Lewis and Mrs. Stanley S. Neustadt discussion on releasing lists of Presidents for projects. 1 page.
Correspondence between John Lewis and Roberta Bradbury discussion of board policy on not sharing membership list and declining request. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Keller Bumgardner and Conference Participants, "Making Election Process Work Conference" in Columbia, South Carolina memorandum summarizing the conference recommendations. 5 pages.
Correspondence between Mrs. Mary Ellen Ludlum and John Lewis thanking Mrs. Toussaint for offering to distribute copies of their direct appeal letter. 1 page.
Correspondence between Mary Ellen Ludlum and Mr. Lewis handwritten request for membership list. 2 pages.
Correspondence Between Miss Louise L. Pitman and The Rev. John B. Morris with enclosed receipt of copies ordered and a copy the brochure "It's Your State-North Carolina" published by The League of Women Voters of North Carolina. 8 pages.
Correspondence between Miss Susan Clarke and Rev. John B. Morris discussing enclosed press clippings. 1 page.
Correspondence between Mr. John Lewis and Jean Lloyd-Jones discussing how the League does not have a membership list. 1 page.
Correspondence between Mr. John Lewis and Mrs. Beatrice Clay discussing funds to conduct voter registration/citizenship education program. 3 pages.
Correspondence between Mr. John Lewis and Mrs. Bruce B. Benson celebrating the League of Women Voters Education Fund receiving a grant of $139,800. 1 page.