LUBBOCK, Texas — For the first time in any poll, more Texans support legalizing same-sex marriage than oppose it.

The poll conducted by undergraduate students at the Earl Survey Research Lab at Texas Tech University finds that 48 percent of respondents said they support same-sex marriage, compared to 47 who expressed opposition.

“In the past, support for gay marriage in this state was below 40 percent,” said Mark McKenzie, associate professor of political science who instructs the class that did the survey. “Now, we’re closely divided on the issue.”

Among Republicans, 66 percent of said they opposed same-sex marriage, while 76 percent of Democrats said they supported marriage equality.