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:
  • Decade = 1970-1979
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
Recommendations from "Conference on Making the Election Process Work" with enclosed memo, conference materials, and summary report of the conference. 25 pages.
Correspondence Between Keller Bumgardner and Conference Participants, "Making Election Process Work Conference" in Columbia, South Carolina memorandum summarizing the conference recommendations. 5 pages.
"Making It Work: A Guide to Training Election Workers" booklet from the League of Women Voters on how to train election workers with enclosed correspondence between Mr. John Lewis and Mrs. Keller Bumgardner. 34 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Workshop on Absentee Voting and Absentee Registration" agenda detailing the schedule, discussion leaders, summary of administrative obstacles, and workshop assignments. 1 page.
"Workshop on the State Administrative Role" agenda detailing the schedule, discussion leaders, summary of administrative obstacles, and workshop assignments. 2 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Memo to Participants Re: Workshop Format" from League of Women Voters Education Fund summarizes the conference strategies. 1 page.
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.
The L.Q.C. Lamar Society Third Annual Symposium Redevelopment of the Rural South: Prelude to a More Humane Urban South agenda and conference registration pamphlet. 3 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.
An Invitation Strategy Conference "Removing Administrative Obstacles to Voting" with summary on the conference, arrangements, and list of participants. 4 pages.
"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
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
Proposed agenda, Conference on Expanding the Electorate-Administrative Obstacles to Voting August 1-2, 1972 detailing schedule of events and programs. 2 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.
Agenda Strategic Conference on "Removing Administrative Obstacles to Voting" which includes location, schedule, and description of events. 2 pages.
Correspondence between Elizabeth J. Dribben and Mr. John Lewis concerning the presidential election with enclosed flyers about voter registration. 1 page.
Correspondence between Mary Louise Shadle and Mr. Lewis thanking Mr. Lewis for help in the "Turn on to Voting" rally. 1 page.
The League of Women Voters of Atlanta-Fulton County Newsletter which includes a calendar of events, lists of activities, articles, and surveys. 13 pages.
Report of Task Group A - Citizens Problems in Registering and Voting Registration report detailing selection and training, floor plans for voting, and reports from different tasks groups. 7 pages.