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Updated at 11:39 a.m.

Missouri GOP Senate nominee Todd Akin withdrawing from the race in the wake of his controversial remarks on rape doesn't seem likely right now -- he was never the GOP establishment's choice and is considered unlikely to yield to outside pressure -- but at least one of his primary opponents seems to be preparing for the possibility

Both of the congressman's Republican primary opponents have been active since the controversy erupted. Former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman posted a denunciation in a tweet ("Todd Akin's remarks about 'legitimate rape' were inexcusable, insulting and embarrassing to the GOP"). And businessman John Brunner has been making exploratory phone calls, according to a GOP strategist in Missouri.

Here's a breakdown of the two scenarios under which he could do so, according to chapter 115 of Missouri's Revised Statutes.

1) A nominated candidate can withdraw from the ballot by 5:00 p.m. on the 11th Tuesday prior to the election -- that would be tomorrow.

2) If Akin doesn't withdraw by Tuesday's deadline, there is a second deadline: 5:00 p.m. on the sixth Tuesday before the election, which is September 25. But withdrawal at this later date requires a court order, which would be granted unless the election authority has "good cause" to oppose it. It also requires that the candidate withdrawing agree to pay "any printing or reprinting costs" of ballots.