League of Women Voters urges county to reconsider resolutions on elections, religion and reproductive policy

Three leaders of the League of Women Voters of Collin County addressed the Commissioner's Court during the public-comment period, urging commissioners to revisit several resolutions on the agenda.

Sharon Golgar, a director of the local League, spoke about the group's concerns with resolutions tied to "Protect Texas Kids" and "Protect Life," saying some provisions could restrict adoption, commercialization of surrogacy, and criminalize telehealth abortion services. "The League of Women Voters believes in representative government and in the individual liberties established in the Constitution of the United States," Golgar said, and urged the court to consider whether proposed policies align with constitutional principles and equal treatment.

Liz Holland, the League's local president, told the court she opposed elements of a proposed "securing Texas elections" resolution that would require documentary proof of citizenship, limit ballots to English, eliminate early and countywide voting options in favor of precinct-only voting, and restrict access to mail-in ballots for some voters. "These provisions raise concern for us because they would create additional barriers to voting," Holland said, while noting the League supports aligning municipal elections with county and state timing where legally feasible.

Julia Copeland, also a League director, focused on language in some resolutions she said mischaracterizes Islamic religious practice. "For many Muslims Sharia is understood as a framework of religious and moral principles... It does not operate as a separate legal system that supersedes the United States Constitution," Copeland said, and asked the court to avoid endorsing measures that could promote religious discrimination.

The speakers framed their comments as nonpartisan, policy-focused appeals grounded in the League's positions on voting access, religious freedom and equal treatment. The court did not take immediate action on those specific resolutions during the public-comment segment.