I’m certain that the rules require majority vote. So no, the 2nd place finisher does not get an automatic nod.
Getting a hold of Democrat Party rules is not easy. However I would be shocked if, in the event of the VP candidate’s resignation, that the POTUS candidate could alone nominate a replacement.
Other relevant case: Death of Horace Greeley....most of his electors (but not all) voted for his VP candidate, B. Gratz Brown, as president.
Kaine would have a greater claim to the nomination than Sanders.
“Getting a hold of Democrat Party rules is not easy. However I would be shocked if, in the event of the VP candidate’s resignation, that the POTUS candidate could alone nominate a replacement.”
My understanding is that the Superdelegates and up to 75 other members from the states chosen by the DNC would select a replacement candidate.
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