I think it would be a good idea if you added a poll content when submitting a thread, so that it is easier to keep track of stuff like who likes or hates what or who likes this better than that. Just a suggestion because so far it hasn't been put up so i am hoping that it would be a nice touch.
Since the overall purpose of the forums is to create discussion and not just stating opinions, a poll would most likely do the opposite (just like the poll threads are doing now). People would use the poll, and then simply state "I choose that-and-that". No explanation, nothing...
Do polls really have to have thread replies to go with it, or can they just have the poll itself? It would just show the statistics, what you voted on in bold, and that's it, just shows the majority vote for the community, doesn't have to have thread replies too.