Ballot counting in Pierce County remains ongoing days after the November 3 election, and the race for the state legislative seat has become exceedingly close. According to the Washington State Secretary of State’s Office, Republican candidate Cindy Jacobsen leads Democrat Jenn Marie Strickling by just four votes.
Current vote totals
The latest certified figures show Strickling with 28,355 votes, while Jacobsen has tallied 28,359. The narrow margin reflects a highly competitive contest in a district that has seen vigorous campaigning from both sides.
Candidate reactions
Strickling issued a statement expressing surprise at the closeness of the race: “In my wildest dreams I couldn’t have imagined this being as close as it is. Stay tuned for the next drop. Democracy means counting every vote, and I’m waiting for every single one of your votes to be counted. This isn’t over.” She urged supporters to stay engaged and ensure any outstanding ballots are submitted and counted.
Jacobsen’s campaign, while not releasing a direct comment on the exact numbers, has emphasized continued voter outreach. Pierce County Republicans announced plans to redouble their efforts to contact voters and highlighted that more than 200 challenged ballots remain in the county that “may still be eligible for rehabilitation.”
What are challenged ballots?
Challenged ballots are those that election officials have flagged for possible issues such as missing signatures, mismatched identification, or other irregularities. County election staff review each challenged ballot to determine eligibility, and many can be restored to the final count after verification.
Next steps
The Secretary of State’s office continues to process the remaining ballots, and both campaigns are urging their supporters to monitor the results closely. KIRO 7 has reached out to the Pierce County Elections Office for confirmation on the exact number of contested ballots, but a response has not yet been received.
Residents of Pierce County are encouraged to stay informed through official county channels and to contact the elections office if they have questions about the status of their ballot. The final outcome will be determined once all eligible votes, including any rehabilitated challenged ballots, are counted and certified.
Why this race matters
The seat in question will join the Washington State House of Representatives, where party balance can influence legislation on issues ranging from education funding to transportation policy. A win for Jacobsen would maintain Republican representation in the district, while a victory for Strickling could shift the balance toward the Democratic caucus.
Both candidates have highlighted their commitment to local families, faith‑based values, and individual liberty throughout the campaign, underscoring the importance of community voices in shaping state policy.
How to stay involved
- Check the official Pierce County Elections website for the latest vote totals.
- Contact the county elections office if you believe your ballot was challenged.
- Participate in any upcoming town‑hall meetings or candidate forums to stay informed about the issues that matter to you.
Original reporting: KIRO 7 (Tacoma / Pierce County stories) — read the source article.
