In Legislative District 25, Position 2, Republican Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen leads Democratic challenger Jenn Marie Strickling by just four votes out of more than 56,000 counted, according to the latest Pierce County tally. The district covers Puyallup and surrounding areas to the east and southeast.

Jacobsen has held the seat since 2020, and a Republican has occupied it since at least 2012. A Strickling victory would flip the seat to Democratic control for the first time in more than a decade.

The district's other House seat, Position 1, is also closely contested. Democratic challenger David Burg leads Republican Rep. Michael Keaton, who was elected in 2024, by 900 votes with more than 56,200 ballots counted. A Republican has held that seat since 2014.

Under Pierce County's recount rules, a mandatory machine recount is triggered when the margin between candidates is less than half a percentage point and fewer than 2,000 votes. A manual hand recount is required for non-statewide offices when the difference is less than 150 votes and one-quarter of 1%. Both thresholds appear to have been met in the Jacobsen-Strickling race.

Recounts occur only after election certification. The Pierce County Canvassing Board is scheduled to certify the general election on Nov. 25, and the Secretary of State will certify results on Dec. 4. The final tallies will determine whether a recount is ordered.

Voter turnout in the district has drawn attention. In the 2024 race for Position 2, more than 72,100 votes were cast between Jacobsen and her opponent. This year's count so far is lower, but residents said the closeness of the contest underscores the power of individual ballots.

"It's down to four votes right now, and that could be a big difference for a Republican or a Democrat gets in; it can change how you vote," said Edward Taylor, a Puyallup resident. "You want things to go your way, and that's what we want."

Debbie Pena, another Puyallup voter, said she was encouraged by participation. "I think it's encouraging that people went out and actually voted and that there's that much turnout in voting, so it tells me that people wanted change," she said.

Cindy Gallegos, a Democrat, said the tight margin itself is telling. "Driving around here earlier — two years ago — there were a lot of people with more Trump signs and the Republican party, so for it to be that close, it says something," she said.

The two races could reshape representation in Olympia for a swing district that has leaned Republican in recent legislative contests. With control of the state House potentially hinging on individual seats, the outcome in District 25 will be watched closely as county and state officials move toward certification and a likely recount.