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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  • Subjects = African American leadership
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
Filmstrip transcript encouraging Black people to participate in their local municipal governments. The document describes the role of municipal governments in daily life and emphasizes the need for Black people to establish leadership within their communities. 5 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Build Our Own Power" Filmstrip, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
Filmstrip transcript encouraging Black people to participate in their local municipal governments. The document describes the role of municipal governments in daily life and emphasizes the need for Black people to establish leadership within their communities. 5 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American leadership
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
List of Georgia's Black elected officials in 1976, along with their mailing addresses, which was included in the VEP's "Election Notebook." 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
List of Georgia Black Elected Officials, 1976
Date Created
1976
Description
List of Georgia's Black elected officials in 1976, along with their mailing addresses, which was included in the VEP's "Election Notebook." 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American leadership
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence from Warren J. Wicker, then-Assistant Director of the Institute of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to John R. Lewis, then Director of the Voter Education Project, regarding the formation of the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Charter Commission. In 1969, the North Carolina General Assembly created the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Charter Commission to develop a charter for consolidated government in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County. The Commission was tasked with including provisions in the charter to assure fair representation on all appointive boards and commissions. The director of the Commission's research staff was asked to prepare a memorandum outlining methods by which this goal could be accomplished. The research revealed that very little had been done in this area, and the following memo was sent to VEP with the request for any additional information about approaches that may have been missed and was included in the VEP's "Election Notebook." 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence from Warren J. Wicker to VEP Regarding the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Charter Commision, May 8, 1970
Date Created
1970-05-08
Description
Correspondence from Warren J. Wicker, then-Assistant Director of the Institute of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to John R. Lewis, then Director of the Voter Education Project, regarding the formation of the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Charter Commission. In 1969, the North Carolina General Assembly created the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Charter Commission to develop a charter for consolidated government in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County. The Commission was tasked with including provisions in the charter to assure fair representation on all appointive boards and commissions. The director of the Commission's research staff was asked to prepare a memorandum outlining methods by which this goal could be accomplished. The research revealed that very little had been done in this area, and the following memo was sent to VEP with the request for any additional information about approaches that may have been missed and was included in the VEP's "Election Notebook." 1 page.
Subject
African American leadership, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Executive Committee meeting agenda for the Voter Education Project that includes a progress report from Executive Director Geraldine Thompson, a statement of revenues and operating expenses, a list of trustees, and bylaws governing the activities of the Board of Directors. 20 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Executive Committee Meeting Agenda, September 9, 1981
Date Created
1981-09-09
Description
Executive Committee meeting agenda for the Voter Education Project that includes a progress report from Executive Director Geraldine Thompson, a statement of revenues and operating expenses, a list of trustees, and bylaws governing the activities of the Board of Directors. 20 pages.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Meetings, African American leadership
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Table of Black female elected officials in the South during the summer of 1976, organized by state and municipal office type, which was included in the VEP's "Election Notebook." 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Table of Black Female Elected Officials in the South, Summer 1976
Date Created
1976
Description
Table of Black female elected officials in the South during the summer of 1976, organized by state and municipal office type, which was included in the VEP's "Election Notebook." 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American leadership
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article regarding a redistricting violation suit brought forward by Johnny Robinson, Stan Alexander, and W.J. Freeman in College Park, in which they accused city officials of stalling on submitting information to the U.S. Justice Department about the city's redistricting plan. The plaintiffs in the voting rights suit said that the city is delaying in order to avoid having to hold another election, which they believed they would lose. The Justice Department objected to the city's redistricting plan because it did not provide adequate racial descriptions of the population. The plaintiffs urged the Justice Department to place a time limit on the city to respond to its mandate. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Leaders Tuesday Discussed Suit Brought By Neighborhood Voters' League," March 15, 1978
Date Created
1978-03-15
Description
Newspaper article regarding a redistricting violation suit brought forward by Johnny Robinson, Stan Alexander, and W.J. Freeman in College Park, in which they accused city officials of stalling on submitting information to the U.S. Justice Department about the city's redistricting plan. The plaintiffs in the voting rights suit said that the city is delaying in order to avoid having to hold another election, which they believed they would lose. The Justice Department objected to the city's redistricting plan because it did not provide adequate racial descriptions of the population. The plaintiffs urged the Justice Department to place a time limit on the city to respond to its mandate. 1 page.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing a dispute in the city of College Park over redistricting. The black community demanded that two majority-black wards be created, but the city argued that this would require the creation of odd-shaped wards that would disrupt the delivery of city services. The Justice Department was given the responsibility of adjudicating over the city's proposal. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"College Park Tries To Cut 6 Even Slices", April 4, 1978
Date Created
1978-04-04
Description
Newspaper article describing a dispute in the city of College Park over redistricting. The black community demanded that two majority-black wards be created, but the city argued that this would require the creation of odd-shaped wards that would disrupt the delivery of city services. The Justice Department was given the responsibility of adjudicating over the city's proposal. 1 page.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Proposal from City Attorney George E. Glaze addressed to Donald P. Edwards containing College Park's submission for reconsideration in regard to the Justice Department's complaints of unfair annexations. The report contained the area's population, by race, of the prior districts, estimates of the area population, by race, of the annexed areas, population projections by 1980, by race of the proposed districts, information about racial bloc voting in the city, information about the public hearings and meetings that were held during the preparation of the proposed redistricting plan, and corrections and notations with respect to the city's submission and the Department of Justice's letter. 8 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
College Park Annexation Reconsideration Proposal, March 20, 1978
Date Created
1978-03-20
Description
Proposal from City Attorney George E. Glaze addressed to Donald P. Edwards containing College Park's submission for reconsideration in regard to the Justice Department's complaints of unfair annexations. The report contained the area's population, by race, of the prior districts, estimates of the area population, by race, of the annexed areas, population projections by 1980, by race of the proposed districts, information about racial bloc voting in the city, information about the public hearings and meetings that were held during the preparation of the proposed redistricting plan, and corrections and notations with respect to the city's submission and the Department of Justice's letter. 8 pages.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article regarding a proposed redrawn district plan in College Park, following complaints that the former boundaries disallowed for fair representation of College Park's black residents on the City Council. The plan was met with mixed reactions, with some praising it for creating a majority-black ward and others criticizing it for not going far enough to ensure minority representation. The plan created six wards, with one ward having a majority-black population. The other wards had minority populations ranging from 25% to 35%. The plan also ensured that each ward had a roughly equal population. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Lines Are Finally Drawn On Ward Map", February 22, 1977
Date Created
1977-02-22
Description
Newspaper article regarding a proposed redrawn district plan in College Park, following complaints that the former boundaries disallowed for fair representation of College Park's black residents on the City Council. The plan was met with mixed reactions, with some praising it for creating a majority-black ward and others criticizing it for not going far enough to ensure minority representation. The plan created six wards, with one ward having a majority-black population. The other wards had minority populations ranging from 25% to 35%. The plan also ensured that each ward had a roughly equal population. 1 page.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing the College Park City Council's consideration of new ward boundaries to comply with the Voting Rights Act. The council considered about 10 proposals, and opted to select a plan with at least one majority black ward. The council also considered reviewing a third proposal by a group of black citizens calling for two majority black wards. The council's decision was subject to Justice Department approval before any plan could be implemented. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"College Park Must Redraw Ward Lines", February 13, 1977
Date Created
1977-02-13
Description
Newspaper article describing the College Park City Council's consideration of new ward boundaries to comply with the Voting Rights Act. The council considered about 10 proposals, and opted to select a plan with at least one majority black ward. The council also considered reviewing a third proposal by a group of black citizens calling for two majority black wards. The council's decision was subject to Justice Department approval before any plan could be implemented. 1 page.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article discussing the College Park City Council's 4-3 vote to allow a peaceful demonstration by the Neighborhood Voters League to be held in the city on March 25. The parade was designed to inform Bblack citizens about the redistricting suit brought by the Voters League. The redistricting was under reconsideration by the Justice Department. Mayor Ralph Presley broke the tie vote in favor of the parade. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"College Park Voters To Allow Black Parade On Redistrcting Suit", March 16, 1976
Date Created
1976-03-16
Description
Newspaper article discussing the College Park City Council's 4-3 vote to allow a peaceful demonstration by the Neighborhood Voters League to be held in the city on March 25. The parade was designed to inform Bblack citizens about the redistricting suit brought by the Voters League. The redistricting was under reconsideration by the Justice Department. Mayor Ralph Presley broke the tie vote in favor of the parade. 1 page.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing efforts made by the city to resolve a redistricting lawsuit, following allegations that the city of College Park delayed the redistricting process by not sending information to the U.S. Justice Department. City Attorney George Glaze denied these allegations, saying that the city had been working steadily on the case and that federal red tape bogged the work down. Glaze stated that the information the Justice Department requested would be mailed out within the week. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Officials Say City Is Trying", March 15, 1976
Date Created
1978-03-15
Description
Newspaper article describing efforts made by the city to resolve a redistricting lawsuit, following allegations that the city of College Park delayed the redistricting process by not sending information to the U.S. Justice Department. City Attorney George Glaze denied these allegations, saying that the city had been working steadily on the case and that federal red tape bogged the work down. Glaze stated that the information the Justice Department requested would be mailed out within the week. 1 page.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Report from McMillan C. Baggett, then-Senior Staff Consultant of Public Research and Management, addressed to City Attorney George A. Glaze containing detailed statistics regarding College Park's neighborhood analysis and ward breakdown. According to the author, the provided housing data was accurate, while population estimates were based on vacancy rates and occupancy rates. Minority population estimates were difficult to obtain, and the figures presented were only approximations. 5 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
College Park Neighborhood Analysis Report, May 27, 1976
Date Created
1978-05-27
Description
Report from McMillan C. Baggett, then-Senior Staff Consultant of Public Research and Management, addressed to City Attorney George A. Glaze containing detailed statistics regarding College Park's neighborhood analysis and ward breakdown. According to the author, the provided housing data was accurate, while population estimates were based on vacancy rates and occupancy rates. Minority population estimates were difficult to obtain, and the figures presented were only approximations. 5 pages.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, Race discrimination, Gerrymandering, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing the victory of four white candidates in majority Black districts in the 1981 City of Atlanta municipal elections, featuring results from a study conducted by K. Farouk Brimah and Richard A. Hudl of the Voter Education Project. The study found that four white candidates won elections in majority Black districts, while all three elections in majority white districts were won by white candidates. The study also found that Andrew Young, the leading mayoral candidate, received 62% of the Black vote, but only 12% of the white vote. The four white mayoral candidates received 87% of the white vote and 11% of the Black vote. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, October 23, 1981
Date Created
1981-10-23
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing the victory of four white candidates in majority Black districts in the 1981 City of Atlanta municipal elections, featuring results from a study conducted by K. Farouk Brimah and Richard A. Hudl of the Voter Education Project. The study found that four white candidates won elections in majority Black districts, while all three elections in majority white districts were won by white candidates. The study also found that Andrew Young, the leading mayoral candidate, received 62% of the Black vote, but only 12% of the white vote. The four white mayoral candidates received 87% of the white vote and 11% of the Black vote. 2 pages.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing a 2.4 percent decrease in the number of Black majority counties in the South, featuring results from a study conducted by K. Farouk Brimah and Richard A. Hudl of the Voter Education Project. The study also showed that the 11 southern states had 284 majority Black counties in 1900 while at the time of the study there were only 89. The study also found that 40 of the 89 majority counties were experiencing declines in Black population. If the present rate of loss continued, additional counties would lose their Black majority by the end of the eighties. The study concluded that the decrease in the number of Black majority counties could have severe repercussions for Black political strength. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, December 1, 1981
Date Created
1981-12-01
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing a 2.4 percent decrease in the number of Black majority counties in the South, featuring results from a study conducted by K. Farouk Brimah and Richard A. Hudl of the Voter Education Project. The study also showed that the 11 southern states had 284 majority Black counties in 1900 while at the time of the study there were only 89. The study also found that 40 of the 89 majority counties were experiencing declines in Black population. If the present rate of loss continued, additional counties would lose their Black majority by the end of the eighties. The study concluded that the decrease in the number of Black majority counties could have severe repercussions for Black political strength. 2 pages.
Subject
African American leadership, City planning, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing VEP Executive Director Geraldine G. Thompson's leadership in a Senate Judiciary Committee Vote, in which the Committee voted 17-1 to approve the Dole-DeConcini compromise of the Voting Rights Act. Geraldine G. Thompson, Executive Director of the Voter Education Project, Inc., hailed the vote as a "resounding victory" for the civil rights community. She urged the Full Senate to swiftly and unanimously pass the bill, calling it an "expression of support for constitutional rights" and a "giant step towards truly making this one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, May 4, 1982
Date Created
1982-05-04
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing VEP Executive Director Geraldine G. Thompson's leadership in a Senate Judiciary Committee Vote, in which the Committee voted 17-1 to approve the Dole-DeConcini compromise of the Voting Rights Act. Geraldine G. Thompson, Executive Director of the Voter Education Project, Inc., hailed the vote as a "resounding victory" for the civil rights community. She urged the Full Senate to swiftly and unanimously pass the bill, calling it an "expression of support for constitutional rights" and a "giant step towards truly making this one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 1 page.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, African American leadership
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study conducted by K. Farouk Brimah and Richard A. Hudl. of the Voter Education Project, which found that blacks alone provided enough votes to elect Andrew Young as mayor of Atlanta in the 1981 runoff election. Blacks cast 88% of their votes for Young, while whites cast an even higher percentage of their votes for white candidates than they did in the October 6 election. The study also found that Atlantans could be mobilized, as turnout was higher in the runoff than in the October 6 election. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, November 4, 1981
Date Created
1981-11-04
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a study conducted by K. Farouk Brimah and Richard A. Hudl. of the Voter Education Project, which found that blacks alone provided enough votes to elect Andrew Young as mayor of Atlanta in the 1981 runoff election. Blacks cast 88% of their votes for Young, while whites cast an even higher percentage of their votes for white candidates than they did in the October 6 election. The study also found that Atlantans could be mobilized, as turnout was higher in the runoff than in the October 6 election. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, African American leadership
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a survey of Black school board members in 10 southern states, which found that although Blacks were underrepresented on school boards, they were instrumental in fighting racism in their school districts. The survey also found that Black school board members were concerned about the discriminatory treatment of Black teachers and students, and that the effort to desegregate schools caused major problems. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, April 10, 1981
Date Created
1981-04-10
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project regarding a survey of Black school board members in 10 southern states, which found that although Blacks were underrepresented on school boards, they were instrumental in fighting racism in their school districts. The survey also found that Black school board members were concerned about the discriminatory treatment of Black teachers and students, and that the effort to desegregate schools caused major problems. 2 pages.
Subject
African American leadership, African Americans--Civil rights, African American neighborhoods, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project announcing the first Statewide Black Women's Conference on the campus of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday, June 22nd, 1985. The keynote speaker for the conference was set to be former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. The conference was designed to encourage Black women to participate in the political process and to become more involved in local politics. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, May 28, 1985
Date Created
1985-05-28
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project announcing the first Statewide Black Women's Conference on the campus of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday, June 22nd, 1985. The keynote speaker for the conference was set to be former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. The conference was designed to encourage Black women to participate in the political process and to become more involved in local politics. 2 pages.
Subject
Meetings, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American leadership
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records