LAST EDITED ON 07-30-13 AT 09:59 PM (EST)LAST EDITED ON 07-30-13 AT 09:58 PM (EST)
Since when has America ever done as told and voted for the best of anything on any show?
It is a popularity contest and Elissa had an advantage in that her sister has fans.
Every "America votes" is a popularity contest, not a vote for the best, just the favorite.
ETA: I do think some of Rachel's fans (could be from the Amazing Race) were voting based on tweet shout outs and may not have really paid attention to show to know the "vote for Elissa again" campaign was misplaced.
ETAA: And it wouldn't be the first time someone with fans from an entirely different show got people who don't watch the current show to vote for them when they are not at all what should be rewarded on a show as "good".