Party records, 1967-1972

The Ellis Arnall Write-In Campaign files consist primarily of newspaper clippings covering the tumultuous period of the 1966 gubernatorial race. The correspondence available provides a vivid picture of the problems the Write-In Georgia movement encountered with the local Atlanta television stations. Since Ellis Arnall did not publicly announce his candidacy after his defeat in the primary election, under FCC regulations he was not a legally qualified candidate. As a result, the local television stations refused to provide equal time on behalf on behalf of the Write-In movement. Numerous complaints, based on alleged voting irregularities prevalent during the general election, are discussed and described in the civil action suit 10483. Other correspondence in the collection includes a substantial number of letters received from Arnall supporters.

The correspondence consists of letters sent and received by individuals interested in joining the Forum to oppose Governor Lester Maddox's effort to hand-pick the Georgia Delegation to the National Convention. Civil Action Suit 11709 specifically contests this action by Maddox. The dichotomy in the Georgia Democratic Party that resulted in 1967 when Governor Maddox, at his discretion, selected delegates to represent Georgia at the National Convention, is discussed and described in the printed material.

The collection was formerly titled Ellis Arnall Write-In Campaign records.