James: How much of a role do original tribes and factions still play in determining your vote?

I would say very little. I have been on a lot of different tribes with a lot of different people, so that original tribe and faction doesn't play into it very much. Instead I am counting on the connections that I've made from all over the game. I'm hopeful that the other players are looking at the game in the same way, although I can't know for sure.