Letter to Eleanor P. Sheppard from Lyndon B. Johnson, February 10, 1964

Files

VCU_M 277 Box11 Letter from LBJ to Eleanor Sheppard rsz.jpg

Title

Letter to Eleanor P. Sheppard from Lyndon B. Johnson, February 10, 1964

Description

Letter to the Honorable Eleanor P. Sheppard, Mayor of Richmond, Virginia from President Lyndon Baines Johnson. February 10, 1964.

This letter accompanied the President's Commission on Registration and Voting Participation "Report on Registration and Voting Participation." 

Text:
The White House
Washington
February 10, 1964

Dear Mayor Sheppard: 

Less than two thirds of Americans of voting age cast ballots in Presidential elections. Less than one half vote in Congressional elections. 

This is a serious void in our free society. 

Last March President Kennedy appointed a bipartisan Commission on Registration and Voting Particpation. Its task was to study the causes of nonvoting and to recommend remedies. After careful study this Commission has presented its report and I send one to you. 

More interest in voting can be stressed by local efforts. May I suggest that you might want to consider the appointment of a citizens committee to investigate possible restrictions to reistration and voting -- and to promote greater voter participation in the 1964 elections. 

At a time when people all over the world cry out for the right to vote, too many of our citizens neglect to use this most precious of all citizen privileges. Our states and our cities, by improving voting laws and voting practices, can help produce increased voting interest by all the people. 

Kindly give me a report on the situation in your city. 

Sincerely, 

Lyndon B. Johnson

Creator

Johnson, Lyndon B.

Source

M 277, Box 11, Eleanor P. Sheppard papers, 1924 - 1978, James Branch Cabell Library, VCU Libraries

Date

1964 February 10

Contributor

Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, VCU Libraries

Rights

NO KNOWN COPYRIGHT

The organization that has made the Item available reasonably believes that the Item is not restricted by copyright or related rights, but a conclusive determination could not be made. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. 
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NKC/1.0/ 

Acknowledgement of the Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries as a source is requested.

Notes

Learn more: 
Voting, Social Welfare History Image Portal 

Discovery Set: Controlling the Vote, Social Welfare History Image Portal 

Visit of the Commission on Registration & Voting Participation, 12:25PM, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum 

Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Staff Files of Lee C. White. General File, 1954-1964. Commission on Registration and Voting Participation, 23 April 1963-30 March 1964

Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Staff Files of Lee C. White. General File, 1954-1964. Commission on Registration and Voting Participation, 21 December 1962–30 March 1963

Citation

Johnson, Lyndon B., “Letter to Eleanor P. Sheppard from Lyndon B. Johnson, February 10, 1964,” Social Welfare History Image Portal, accessed March 19, 2024, https://images.socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/items/show/475.