Yes, you are supposed to take elements into account when voting.
If someone has a super-teriffic story, but didn't use the elements well (for example, just put the words in to have them in. without them having much to do with the actual story), then that story wouldn't be voted as highly as someone's that used the elements as a germain part of their story.
Plus, in this one, the mission elements are supposed to be used in the order in which they were found. While the DoM will look at this aspect most closely, it is good for the voters to keep it in mind, too.
A lot is on the shoulders of the

voter

!