Voting has opened in Carlisle United supporters' trust's crucial decision on the Piatak takeover proposal.

CUOSC members have until 5pm on Wednesday to cast their vote in a poll which has a key part in the American business family's bid to take control of the Blues.

A simple majority is needed for the resolution, which has been put to members, to be passed.

The trust last night reported that they had already received a large number of votes from members, after they shared voting details via email.

The vote follows Sunday's members' meeting where the Piataks shared their plans with supporters for the first time.

The resolution would involve CUOSC's voting stake in United's Holding company being reduced from 25.4 per cent to ten per cent.

🗳️ MEMBERS’ VOTE 🗳️

The board of the trust, who currently have 25.4 per cent voting rights in CUFC Holdings, have unanimously urged members to vote in favour of the Piatak plan.

They believe the Florida family's proposal is in the club's best long-term interests.

After voting closes on Wednesday, the Piataks will be informed of the result along with the club's hierarchy.

The result will also be announced to members and shared via the media, CUOSC chair Matt Spooner told the News & Star.

"Once that’s done, that’s our part of the deal done until we sign the final papers – then it’s up to Tom and the owners to ratify their parts," said Spooner.

“That is under way and nearing completion.”

The trust have previously voted overwhelmingly in favour of certain investment proposals at Brunton Park, notably the Andrew Lapping-led deal in 2015 which did not ultimately come to fruition at the club.

That deal would have involved the diluting of CUOSC's stake in United.

The Piataks set out their plans to invest in and grow United at Sunday's meeting at the Halston Hotel in Carlisle.

Tom Piatak, owner and CEO of Magellan Transport Logistics, also said he was "confident" a resolution could be found to the club's ongoing debt situation with Purepay Retail Limited.