I really like the markdown approach, it’s simple to use IF you know it
However, if you don’t know about the ‘start a topic with the word Poll’ convention, you’re on your own. I know I was, I had to come here to look it up 
Can we get some kind of visual / UX guidance for new users?
Maybe an icon in the “new topic” text editor which, when clicked, prefixes your thread title, inserts an example poll, and shows a tip explaining the markdown convention?