Texas Voters Approve Creation of SpaceX-Dominated City Starbase

Voters in South Texas have approved the incorporation of Starbase, a new city dominated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, near the company's Boca Chica rocket facility. The majority of eligible voters are SpaceX employees or their families, making the outcome largely assured. Starbase will be governed by a mayor and two commissioners—all with SpaceX ties—granting the company significant local authority over planning, taxation, and potentially public access to nearby beaches for rocket launches. Supporters highlight the economic benefits and job creation SpaceX has brought to the region, while critics, including local activists and indigenous groups, express concerns about environmental harm and cultural erasure. The move could set a precedent as a modern company town and may pave the way for further Musk-led municipal initiatives in Texas. The incorporation follows legislative efforts that could shift more control over public spaces from county authorities to the new city.