Elon Musk’s Starbase on its way to becoming a Texas city after lopsided early voting results

After a record number of votes, Elon Musk's Starbase is set to become Texas' newest city. A significant step has been taken toward realizing Elon Musk's long-held ambition of developing the remote Boca Chica region into a center for space exploration. Residents of the small community in South Texas overwhelmingly supported the incorporation of the area as the City of Starbase in a decisive vote that took place on May 3, 2025. The result, which saw 212 votes in favor and only six votes against, opens the door to a one-of-a-kind combination of private enterprise and municipal governance centered entirely on SpaceX, Musk's aerospace company. A vision that took years to realize Musk first proposed the concept of "Starbase" in 2021 via social media, eliciting both excitement and skepticism. SpaceX has built enormous launch facilities, housing for employees, and support infrastructure for the Starship rocket program in Boca Chica over the course of its history. Residents and officials alike are getting ready for the next stage, which is formal incorporation and governance, now that the election is over. Starbase will be 1.45 square miles in size and will be home to approximately 500 people, the majority of whom are SpaceX employees. As a result, it ranks among the US towns with the highest concentration of businesses. The vote was taken in accordance with Texas law, which states that unincorporated communities with more than 200 people can form a Type C city, a government structure with a mayor and two commissioners. Jordan Buss and Jenna Petrzelka, who are both employed by SpaceX, will serve as city commissioners. SpaceX executive Robert "Bobby" Peden won the mayor's race without any other candidates. Local ordinances, infrastructure planning, and possibly even beach and road access during rocket launches will fall under the purview of the new leadership. SpaceX's Strategic Value Starbase's inclusion is much more than merely symbolic. It offers SpaceX tangible advantages, particularly in terms of autonomy, regulation, and logistics. In the past, Cameron County had to coordinate road closures for test launches. Starbase could take direct control of such activities as a municipality, which would expedite the testing process and give SpaceX more leeway in its launch schedule. Starbase may soon be able to manage weekday access to Texas Highway 4 and Boca Chica Beach, two routes that are frequently closed during rocket launches. Texas lawmakers are already working on legislation that would make this possible. These adjustments might make operational kinks go away and strengthen SpaceX's hold on the region. Beyond rockets, SpaceX's goals also extend beyond that. A brand-new "gigabay" measuring 380 feet is in the works, partially supported by a $7.5 million grant from the Texas Space Commission. Additionally, the business has requested that the Federal Aviation Administration increase its annual launch frequency from five to 25. Environmental and Indigenous Groups' Concerns Not everyone is celebrating the move, despite the residents' and SpaceX employees' enthusiasm. Concerns have been raised about Boca Chica's transformation into a private company town with little regard for public interest or cultural heritage by Indigenous groups and environmental organizations. The incorporation has been criticized by the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, which asserts ancestral ties to the land, and a number of environmental justice organizations, warning that it may result in increased privatization of public spaces like Boca Chica Beach. According to their argument, the establishment of Starbase has the potential to restrict public access, harm ecosystems, and erase local history. SpaceX and Texas officials, according to protesters, have been accused of prioritizing corporate ambition over community rights and environmental preservation. However, proponents of the venture point to the regional economy's advantages, such as the creation of jobs, improved infrastructure, and international attention. What occurs next? The Cameron County Commissioners Court will meet on May 20 to confirm the election results before Starbase can become a city. Starbase will be added to the list of Texas municipalities with a mayor-commissioner government if it is approved. A municipality that was almost entirely created by and for a private company enters uncharted territory as the city develops. Elon Musk has praised the vote, describing Starbase as an important step in his larger plan to colonize space. Texas, Starbase. Now it is a real city! after the vote, he declared on social media. The Next Steps for Starbase Starbase is a daring new experiment in corporate influence, urban development, and governance. It promises to speed up Musk's dream of exploring space and colonizing Mars, but it also raises important questions about the role that private businesses play in shaping public life. Will Starbase serve as a model for future innovation centers or serve as a cautionary tale of corporate power without limits? That is yet to be determined. The countdown for rockets and a unique American city continues for the time being.