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SAN ANTONIO — As the temperatures heat up, so too does the race for San Antonio mayor—one that features 27 candidates vying to succeed Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who will leave office in June after serving the City Charter-mandated maximum of eight years.

Election Day is May 3, and early voting kicks off on April 22 in Texas. Here's what you need to know about how to vote and key races around San Antonio. Why it matters: City voters will have their say in a pivotal mayoral election and competitive and open races for City Council.

The figure pales in comparison to the start of early voting in November, but local elections historically draw much smaller turnouts than national ones.

It's the first time in eight years that San Antonio will have a new mayor. Voters will also have the opportunity to hit refresh on all 10 City Council seats.

There are more than 40 polling locations across the city during this joint election.Here's why you might want to head to your closest polling station.

Four out of 10 San Antonio City Council districts will not have an incumbent on the May 3 ballot. Why it matters: The next group of city councilmembers will serve longer four-year terms after voters approved increasing the term length from two years.

San Antonio is choosing a new mayor for the first time in eight years, and 10 City Council races will be on the ballot as well.