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UpdateTexasSaturday, October 24, 2026

Elon Musk spent approximately $190 million on Texas Senate race

Reporting by
Texas Public Radio
“Texas Matters: Is Elon Musk on the ballot? How Abbott's data center pause failed. Who will certify the elections?”, Saturday, October 24, 2026
Read the full story
What happened

Elon Musk put approximately $190 million into the Texas U.S. Senate race supporting Ken Paxton, according to a Texas Tribune investigation by Gabby Birenbaum and Alejandro Serrano. Musk also spent on competitive congressional races in South Texas, according to the investigation.1

What it means in Texas

What this means for Texas voters

Early voting in Texas runs from Monday October 19 through Friday October 30, 2026.2 The governor canvasses state and federal results, except for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, no earlier than the 18th day and no later than the 33rd day after the election.3

Key dates in Texas

Election Day in 7 days
  1. Mon, Oct 5 · passed
    Registration deadline
  2. Mon, Oct 19 · passed
    Early voting begins
  3. Fri, Oct 23 · passed
    Last day for mail ballot applications
  4. Tue, Nov 3 · 7 days
    Election Day
  5. Wed, Nov 4 · 8 days
    Mail ballots must arrive
  6. Tue, Nov 17 · 21 days
    County/Local certification
  7. Mon, Dec 7 · 41 days
    State certification

Every date in Texas, and who certifies the election

The answers behind this
Claims you will hear this fallVoting in Texas, 2026How are votes counted and certified in Texas?Who certifies the election in Texas, and by when?

Explore this issue

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Sources

  1. Texas Public Radio, https://tpr.org/podcast/texas-matters/2026-10-23/texas-matters-is-elon-musk-on-the-ballot-how-abbotts-data-center-pause-failed-who-will-certify-the-elections · Saturday, October 24, 2026
  2. Vote.org, Texas Election Center, https://www.vote.org/state/texas/
  3. NASS, State Election Canvassing Timeframes and Recount Thresholds, https://www.nass.org/node/2455

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