Residents in two New Hampshire cities voted in Tuesday's election to embrace a new law that allows for public drinking in designated outdoor "social districts."

Concord and Laconia voters OK'd ballot questions to start the process of creating the social districts, while similar measures were rejected in Portsmouth, Nashua and Keene.

Concord is the capital city with a population of about 44,400, while Laconia is home to around 17,000.

What is a social district?

The state law, supported by Gov. Kelly Ayotte, took effect in September. The Laconia ballot question said it's "part of a broader trend in several states to allow public consumption of alcohol in designated areas, enhancing social interaction and potentially benefiting local economies."

The law defines a social district

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