The conservative Heritage Foundation is laying the groundwork and research in case President Joe Biden decides to step down as the Democratic nominee in the aftermath of a widely panned debate performance.

"We are monitoring the calls from across the country for President Biden to step aside, either now or before the election, and have concluded that the process for substitution and withdrawal is very complicated," Executive Director of The Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project Mike Howell said in a statement. "We will remain vigilant that appropriate election integrity procedures are followed."

The Oversight Project warned in a separate statement, according to Fox News, that "if the Biden family decides that President Biden will not run for re-election, the mechanisms for replacing him on ballots vary by state. There is the potential for pre-election litigation in some states that would make the process difficult and perhaps unsuccessful.”