How do you start a poll....
 

without starting a new thread?
I can't figure this out....please help.

That is the only way I think. When starting the new thread check the Post a Poll option.

Yeah, I was afraid of that. Seems redundant though.
Is there a mod for this?

Thanks!

Not to my knowledge.

To add a poll to existing thread: Thread Tools-> Add a Poll to this Thread…

Well if you create alot of them, and just publish them via a widget.

you could also create a "hidden" forum section, where only
admin and maybe those able to create polls create the new threads containing
the polls.

which also is a great way to control them, links them to a specifik forumid.