The National League has released the following statement which in essence is a vote on whether to end the playing season. However given clubs have 28 days to decide how to vote it raises the question how clubs will finance games that will be played before the results of the votes are known.
There could be an argument to suspend the season until the result is known, however if that happens and then the season ends it would mean extra expenses for clubs.
In truth it's a mess.
Here's the statement:
The National League has distributed resolutions this evening for Member Clubs to consider the outcome of the 2020/21 season.
The resolutions are formed of four parts: one Special Resolution and three Ordinary Resolutions based on the outcome of the first. A Special Resolution requires a 75% majority to be passed, whereas an Ordinary Resolution requires a more than 50% majority. Resolution 1 and 4 votes will be counted under prescribed voting conditions. Resolution 2 and 3 will be counted with one vote per Member Club.
Should Resolution 1 pass, Resolution 2 and 3 will be counted, with Resolution 4 disregarded. Should Resolution 1 be voted against, Resolution 4 will be counted, with Resolution 2 and 3 votes disregarded.
Under The National League’s Articles of Association, Member Clubs have 28 days to return voting submissions.
The resolutions are as follows:
Resolution 1 (All Clubs)
That Resolution 2 about whether to end the 2020/21 Playing Season of The National League (Step 1) be taken only by Clubs in the National League and that Resolution 3 about whether to end the 2020/21 Playing Season of the National League North and the National League South (Step 2) be taken only by Clubs that play in the National League North or the National League South with votes cast for Resolution 3 being counted on a one member, one vote basis for National League North and National League South Clubs.
Resolution 2 (National League Only)
That, conditional upon Resolution 1 being passed, the 2020/21 Playing Season of the National League (Step 1) shall immediately end on the date this Resolution 2 is passed and be declared null and void and subject to the approval of The Football Association, those Regulations that provide for promotion and relegation to and from Step 1 be suspended for the 2020/21 Playing Season.
Resolution 3 (National League North and South Only)
That, conditional upon Resolution 1 being passed, the 2020/21 Playing Season of the National League North and the National League South (Step 2) shall immediately end on the date this Resolution 3 is passed and be declared null and void and subject to the approval of The Football Association those Regulations that provide for promotion and relegation to and from Step 2 be suspended for the 2020/21 Playing Season.
Resolution 4 (All Clubs)
That, conditional upon Resolution 1 being passed, the 2020/21 Playing Season of the National League North and the National League South (Step 2) shall immediately end on the date this Resolution 3 is passed and be declared null and void and subject to the approval of The Football Association those Regulations that provide for promotion and relegation to and from Step 2 be suspended for the 2020/21 Playing Season.
Update 10.30pm:
Resolution 4 on the National League site is different to that on some sites including Telford and Hereford.
Here's the National League version.
That conditional upon Resolution 1 not being passed, the 2020/21 Playing
Seasons of The National League (Step 1) and The National League North
and The National League South (Step 2) shall immediately end on the date
this Resolution 4 is passed and be declared null and void and subject
to the approval of The Football Association, those Regulations that
provide for promotion to and relegation from Step 1 and Step 2 be
suspended for the 2020/21 Playing Season.