1998–99 California special elections

From April 1998 to March 1999, five special elections were held in the Oakland and Berkeley area. The process was triggered by the mid-term retirement of U.S. Representative Ron Dellums and ended one year later with the unexpected election to the California State Assembly of Green Party candidate Audie Bock, by which time turnout had fallen to just 15% of registered voters.

The five special elections were:

• April 7, 1998: Barbara Lee replaced Ron Dellums in the United States House of Representatives
• September 1, 1998: Special election to replace Barbara Lee in the California State Senate
  • November 3, 1998: Don Perata wins the run-off to replace Barbara Lee in the California State Senate
• February 2, 1999: Special election to replace Don Perata in the California State Assembly
  • March 30, 1999: Audie Bock wins the run-off to replace Don Perata in the California State Assembly

The cycle is the most famous example of what has been referred to as special election musical chairs, a series of special elections in which each but the last election winner is an elected official who must then vacate their seat, triggering another special election.