Lawmakers in the Mexican state of Nayarit earlier this month approved a bill which allows gay and lesbian couples to marry in the state.

Nayarit is expected to become the fourth Mexican municipality where gay couples can tie the knot, though marriage equality is technically possible throughout the country. Two additional states – Chihuahua and Guerrero – have enacted similar legislation through gubernatorial decrees.

According to La Jornada, the bill, introduced by Deputy Luis Manuel Hernandez Escobedo in June, cleared the state congress on December 17 with a 26-1 vote. One lawmaker abstained.

The western state's governor, Roberto Sandoval, is expected to sign the bill into law.

At least five gay couples have already exchanged vows in the state under court orders.

In June, Mexico's highest court struck down state bans on gay marriage, effectively legalizing such unions. However, gay couples seeking to wed in a state with a ban must seek individual injunctions, an expensive and possibly time consuming process depending on the number of appeals.

(Related: Mexico Supreme Court strikes gay marriage bans; Chihuahua joins equality states.)

Mexico City was the first municipality to legalize same-sex marriages in 2009.