just an idea:
#in your controller # Poll has_many options, options has_many votes, so just do a find with a nested include @poll.find :first, :conditions => ['id = ?',params[:id]], :include => { :options => :votes }
# in your view <ul> <? @poll.options.each do |o| ?> <li><?= "#{o.text} (#{o.votes.count} votes)" </li> <? end ?> </ul>