Who won in China? In the US midterms, Susan Collins and the local firefighters

Republican Senator Susan Collins won in China on Tuesday. So did the volunteer firefighters.

Voters in several small American communities with China in their names cast ballots in Tuesday’s US midterm elections. Their local contests had little to do with Beijing and a great deal to do with fire engines, budgets and paving.

In China, a lakeside town in northeastern Maine, Collins outpolled Democrat Troy Jackson by 1,333 votes to 871, according to the town’s general election return. Statewide, Jackson defeated Collins to win the Senate seat.

On a separate ballot, China residents faced a question that had divided their elected officials. Should the town spend up to US$750,000 on a new fire engine?

The town would own the pumper-tanker and the China Village Volunteer Fire Department would use it. The five-member select board had voted three to two to recommend the purchase, according to the local newspaper Town Line. Residents backed it by more than two to one, according to the handwritten tally the town published.

WATCH: Democrat James Talarico to speak after flipping Texas Senate seat

Then came the question of how to pay for it. Residents had already set aside US$200,000 at a June town meeting. On Tuesday, they authorised the town to borrow up to US$550,000 to cover the balance. Any grants or donations towards the truck would reduce the amount the town could borrow, dollar for dollar.

In China Grove, Texas, on San Antonio’s eastern edge, the question was how to keep the streets paved. Residents voted on whether to renew a sales tax that sets aside a quarter of a cent on every taxable dollar for street maintenance and repairs. Early, unofficial returns reported by San Antonio broadcaster KENS 5 showed 387 votes in favour and 198 against.

Another China Grove, in North Carolina’s Rowan County, had three town council seats to fill. Two went to newcomers. Diane Folk led the six-candidate field with 789 votes, followed by Mike Upright with 638, according to the Salisbury Post newspaper. Incumbent Don Bringle finished one vote behind Upright but kept the third seat, polling 28 votes more than fellow incumbent Arthur Heggins.

Back in Maine, even the town’s name has a voting story. In 1818, residents chose the name Bloomville, according to the town clerk’s account.

When their representative reached Boston, then the legislative seat, he learned the name was already taken. Home was a week’s journey away by horse and wagon. Left to suggest another name, he borrowed the title of a favourite hymn. It was called “China”.