2nd Vote is a right-of-center nonprofit organization that informs consumers about the political values of companies and encouraging them to make consumption choices in line with their own political values.  2nd Vote was launched in 2012 by David L. Black after he learned that March of Dimes donations were being used to fund Planned Parenthood chapters. ¹

Founding and History

2nd Vote was launched in 2012 by David L. Black after he learned that March of Dimes donations were being used to fund Planned Parenthood chapters. Because Black did not vote for pro-abortion politicians he did not want to support pro-abortion policies by supporting companies that donated to pro-abortion causes. ²

Retailer Scoring System

2nd Vote’s main research project is its retailer scoring system, which is used to create various guides meant for conservatives to use when making purchases and utilizing services to patronize companies that support conservative values and avoid those that do not. The idea is that these guides will allow conservative voters a “2nd vote” and allow them to only support organizations that do not undermine their political and social beliefs. ³

Scoring is based on five categories and factors both direct and indirect corporate donations, stated policies, sponsorships, corporate leadership donations, and lobbying on both the state and federal level. ⁴  However, while companies’ general scores are available for public access, the shopping guides produced by the group require an annual subscription to access. ⁵

Policy Stances

Life

2nd Vote identifies as a pro-life organization and considers whether or not a company financially contributes to groups and charities that support or advocate for pro-abortion policies. These companies will receive a negative score in the group’s retailer scoring system, while companies that openly advocate for or support pro-life organizations will receive a positive score. ⁶

Basic Freedoms

2nd Vote classifies basic freedoms as being those enumerated in the First Amendment of the Constitution. The group acknowledges that private companies are not bound by law to respecting First Amendment rights, but asserts that in a free society companies should abide by the spirit of these rights. 2nd Vote will negatively score companies in this category if they censor conservatives and the conservative press or support violent protests. ⁷

Gun Rights

2nd Vote is a strong advocate for the Second Amendment and explicitly states that it interprets it to mean that American citizens should be free to possess any arms that are possessed by the government and that any restrictions of the kind of arms citizens can possess is “an affront to the Constitution.” Companies that refuse to do business with firearm manufacturers and dealers and companies that advocate for gun control are scored negatively in this category. ⁸

Education

2nd Vote rates companies positively if they support school choice and negatively if they advocate for the Common Core and the further federalization of the education system. ⁹

Environment

2nd Vote states that it is in favor of environmental stewardship, but negatively scores companies that support environmentalist groups that advance policies such as “Cap and Trade” and burdensome environmental regulation. ¹⁰

Immigration

2nd Vote states that the organization is in favor of legal immigration into the U.S. but argues that current immigration laws must be enforced. Corporate support for “sanctuary cities” that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement is scored negatively in this category. ¹¹

Aligned Organizations

2nd Vote is explicitly aligned with The Heritage Foundation, a right-of-center think tank located in Washington, D.C.; the American Family Association, a social-conservative organization focused on promoting Christian values; and the Family Research Council, a right of center organization that is focused on promoting family values. ¹²

Finances

In fiscal year 2019, 2nd Vote reported $743,783 in revenue, of which $736,866 was derived from contributions and grants. The organization reported $745,957 in expenses, of which $349,853 was allocated for salaries and benefits. The group ended the year with $60,111 in net assets. ¹³

Leadership and Staff

David Black is the founder of 2nd Vote. He has a Ph.D. in forensic toxicology and has worked on substance abuse programs with many major organizations including NASCAR and WWE. He is the husband of former U.S. Rep. Diane Black (R-TN). ¹⁴

Amy Wilhite is the executive director of 2nd Vote. She previously worked as the director of finance/events for Rep. Black’s failed 2018 campaign for governor of Tennessee. She was formerly the executive director of the Aegis Science Foundation. ¹⁵

1. 2nd Vote. “About 2nd Vote.” Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.2nd Vote.com/about-2nd Vote/.
2. 2nd Vote. “About 2nd Vote.” Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.2nd Vote.com/about-2nd Vote/.
3. 2nd Vote. “Our Mission.” Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.2nd Vote.com/our-mission/.
4. 2nd Vote. “How We Score.” Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.2nd Vote.com/how-we-score/.
5. 2nd Vote. “Subscribe or Donate.” Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.2nd Vote.com/subscribe-donate/.
6. 2nd Vote. “Life.” Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.2nd Vote.com/issues-we-support/life/.
7. 2nd Vote. “Basic Freedoms.” Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.2nd Vote.com/issues-we-support/1st-amendment-religious-liberty/.
8. 2nd Vote. “2nd Amendment.” Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.2nd Vote.com/issues-we-support/2nd-amendment/.
9. 2nd Vote. “Education.” Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.2nd Vote.com/issues-we-support/education/.
10. 2nd Vote. “Environment.” Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.2nd Vote.com/issues-we-support/environment/.
11. 2nd Vote. “Border Security / Immigration.” Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.2nd Vote.com/issues-we-support/immigration/.
12. 2nd Vote. “Our Allies.” Accessed August 7, 2021. https://www.2nd Vote.com/our-allies/.
13. 2nd Vote, Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2019, Part I
14. 2nd Vote. “Leadership.” Accessed August 9, 2021. https://www.2nd Vote.com/leadership/.
15. 2nd Vote. “Our Team.” Accessed August 9, 2021. https://www.2nd Vote.com/team/.