diff --git a/internal/cache/gts.go b/internal/cache/gts.go
index 339605354..507947305 100644
--- a/internal/cache/gts.go
+++ b/internal/cache/gts.go
@@ -952,6 +952,7 @@ func (c *GTSCaches) initStatus() {
 		{Name: "ID"},
 		{Name: "URI"},
 		{Name: "URL"},
+		{Name: "PollID"},
 		{Name: "BoostOfID.AccountID"},
 		{Name: "ThreadID", Multi: true},
 	}, copyF, cap)
diff --git a/internal/db/bundb/migrations/20231215115920_add_status_poll_index.go b/internal/db/bundb/migrations/20231215115920_add_status_poll_index.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..54b585d60
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/db/bundb/migrations/20231215115920_add_status_poll_index.go
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+// GoToSocial
+// Copyright (C) GoToSocial Authors admin@gotosocial.org
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-or-later
+//
+// This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+// GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+// along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+package migrations
+
+import (
+	"context"
+
+	"github.com/uptrace/bun"
+)
+
+func init() {
+	up := func(ctx context.Context, db *bun.DB) error {
+		return db.RunInTx(ctx, nil, func(ctx context.Context, tx bun.Tx) error {
+			type spec struct {
+				index   string
+				table   string
+				columns []string
+			}
+
+			for _, spec := range []spec{
+				{
+					index:   "statuses_poll_id_idx",
+					table:   "statuses",
+					columns: []string{"poll_id"},
+				},
+			} {
+				if _, err := tx.
+					NewCreateIndex().
+					Table(spec.table).
+					Index(spec.index).
+					Column(spec.columns...).
+					IfNotExists().
+					Exec(ctx); err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+			}
+
+			return nil
+		})
+	}
+
+	down := func(ctx context.Context, db *bun.DB) error {
+		return db.RunInTx(ctx, nil, func(ctx context.Context, tx bun.Tx) error {
+			return nil
+		})
+	}
+
+	if err := Migrations.Register(up, down); err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/db/bundb/poll.go b/internal/db/bundb/poll.go
index 830fb88ec..3e77fb6c5 100644
--- a/internal/db/bundb/poll.go
+++ b/internal/db/bundb/poll.go
@@ -50,20 +50,6 @@ func(poll *gtsmodel.Poll) error {
 	)
 }
 
-func (p *pollDB) GetPollByStatusID(ctx context.Context, statusID string) (*gtsmodel.Poll, error) {
-	return p.getPoll(
-		ctx,
-		"StatusID",
-		func(poll *gtsmodel.Poll) error {
-			return p.db.NewSelect().
-				Model(poll).
-				Where("? = ?", bun.Ident("poll.status_id"), statusID).
-				Scan(ctx)
-		},
-		statusID,
-	)
-}
-
 func (p *pollDB) getPoll(ctx context.Context, lookup string, dbQuery func(*gtsmodel.Poll) error, keyParts ...any) (*gtsmodel.Poll, error) {
 	// Fetch poll from database cache with loader callback
 	poll, err := p.state.Caches.GTS.Poll().Load(lookup, func() (*gtsmodel.Poll, error) {
diff --git a/internal/db/bundb/poll_test.go b/internal/db/bundb/poll_test.go
index 479557c55..6bdbdb983 100644
--- a/internal/db/bundb/poll_test.go
+++ b/internal/db/bundb/poll_test.go
@@ -67,10 +67,6 @@ func (suite *PollTestSuite) TestGetPollBy() {
 			"id": func() (*gtsmodel.Poll, error) {
 				return suite.db.GetPollByID(ctx, poll.ID)
 			},
-
-			"status_id": func() (*gtsmodel.Poll, error) {
-				return suite.db.GetPollByStatusID(ctx, poll.StatusID)
-			},
 		} {
 
 			// Clear database caches.
@@ -287,10 +283,6 @@ func (suite *PollTestSuite) TestDeletePoll() {
 		// Ensure that afterwards we cannot fetch poll.
 		_, err = suite.db.GetPollByID(ctx, poll.ID)
 		suite.ErrorIs(err, db.ErrNoEntries)
-
-		// Or again by the status it's attached to.
-		_, err = suite.db.GetPollByStatusID(ctx, poll.StatusID)
-		suite.ErrorIs(err, db.ErrNoEntries)
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/db/bundb/status.go b/internal/db/bundb/status.go
index dd161e1ec..da252c7f7 100644
--- a/internal/db/bundb/status.go
+++ b/internal/db/bundb/status.go
@@ -87,6 +87,17 @@ func(status *gtsmodel.Status) error {
 	)
 }
 
+func (s *statusDB) GetStatusByPollID(ctx context.Context, pollID string) (*gtsmodel.Status, error) {
+	return s.getStatus(
+		ctx,
+		"PollID",
+		func(status *gtsmodel.Status) error {
+			return s.db.NewSelect().Model(status).Where("? = ?", bun.Ident("status.poll_id"), pollID).Scan(ctx)
+		},
+		pollID,
+	)
+}
+
 func (s *statusDB) GetStatusBoost(ctx context.Context, boostOfID string, byAccountID string) (*gtsmodel.Status, error) {
 	return s.getStatus(
 		ctx,
diff --git a/internal/db/poll.go b/internal/db/poll.go
index b59d27c73..ac0229855 100644
--- a/internal/db/poll.go
+++ b/internal/db/poll.go
@@ -27,9 +27,6 @@ type Poll interface {
 	// GetPollByID fetches the Poll with given ID from the database.
 	GetPollByID(ctx context.Context, id string) (*gtsmodel.Poll, error)
 
-	// GetPollByStatusID fetches the Poll with given status ID column value from the database.
-	GetPollByStatusID(ctx context.Context, statusID string) (*gtsmodel.Poll, error)
-
 	// GetOpenPolls fetches all local Polls in the database with an unset `closed_at` column.
 	GetOpenPolls(ctx context.Context) ([]*gtsmodel.Poll, error)
 
diff --git a/internal/db/status.go b/internal/db/status.go
index 1ebf503a8..8034d39e7 100644
--- a/internal/db/status.go
+++ b/internal/db/status.go
@@ -25,15 +25,18 @@
 
 // Status contains functions for getting statuses, creating statuses, and checking various other fields on statuses.
 type Status interface {
-	// GetStatusByID returns one status from the database, with no rel fields populated, only their linking ID / URIs
+	// GetStatusByID fetches the status from the database with matching id column.
 	GetStatusByID(ctx context.Context, id string) (*gtsmodel.Status, error)
 
-	// GetStatusByURI returns one status from the database, with no rel fields populated, only their linking ID / URIs
+	// GetStatusByURI fetches the status from the database with matching uri column.
 	GetStatusByURI(ctx context.Context, uri string) (*gtsmodel.Status, error)
 
-	// GetStatusByURL returns one status from the database, with no rel fields populated, only their linking ID / URIs
+	// GetStatusByURL fetches the status from the database with matching url column.
 	GetStatusByURL(ctx context.Context, uri string) (*gtsmodel.Status, error)
 
+	// GetStatusByPollID fetches the status from the database with matching poll_id column.
+	GetStatusByPollID(ctx context.Context, pollID string) (*gtsmodel.Status, error)
+
 	// GetStatusBoost fetches the status whose boost_of_id column refers to boostOfID, authored by given account ID.
 	GetStatusBoost(ctx context.Context, boostOfID string, byAccountID string) (*gtsmodel.Status, error)
 
diff --git a/internal/federation/dereferencing/status.go b/internal/federation/dereferencing/status.go
index 8a8ec60b1..2a2b99d25 100644
--- a/internal/federation/dereferencing/status.go
+++ b/internal/federation/dereferencing/status.go
@@ -40,14 +40,25 @@
 
 // statusUpToDate returns whether the given status model is both updateable
 // (i.e. remote status) and whether it needs an update based on `fetched_at`.
-func statusUpToDate(status *gtsmodel.Status) bool {
+func statusUpToDate(status *gtsmodel.Status, force bool) bool {
 	if *status.Local {
 		// Can't update local statuses.
 		return true
 	}
 
-	// If this status was updated recently (last interval), we return as-is.
-	if next := status.FetchedAt.Add(2 * time.Hour); time.Now().Before(next) {
+	// Default limit we allow
+	// statuses to be refreshed.
+	limit := 2 * time.Hour
+
+	if force {
+		// We specifically allow the force flag
+		// to force an early refresh (on a much
+		// smaller cooldown period).
+		limit = 5 * time.Minute
+	}
+
+	// If this status was updated recently (within limit), return as-is.
+	if next := status.FetchedAt.Add(limit); time.Now().Before(next) {
 		return true
 	}
 
@@ -125,7 +136,7 @@ func (d *Dereferencer) getStatusByURI(ctx context.Context, requestUser string, u
 	}
 
 	// Check whether needs update.
-	if statusUpToDate(status) {
+	if statusUpToDate(status, false) {
 		// This is existing up-to-date status, ensure it is populated.
 		if err := d.state.DB.PopulateStatus(ctx, status); err != nil {
 			log.Errorf(ctx, "error populating existing status: %v", err)
@@ -159,8 +170,8 @@ func (d *Dereferencer) RefreshStatus(
 	statusable ap.Statusable,
 	force bool,
 ) (*gtsmodel.Status, ap.Statusable, error) {
-	// Check whether needs update.
-	if !force && statusUpToDate(status) {
+	// Check whether status needs update.
+	if statusUpToDate(status, force) {
 		return status, nil, nil
 	}
 
@@ -204,8 +215,8 @@ func (d *Dereferencer) RefreshStatusAsync(
 	statusable ap.Statusable,
 	force bool,
 ) {
-	// Check whether needs update.
-	if !force && statusUpToDate(status) {
+	// Check whether status needs update.
+	if statusUpToDate(status, force) {
 		return
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/processing/common/status.go b/internal/processing/common/status.go
index 0a1f495fb..ae03a5306 100644
--- a/internal/processing/common/status.go
+++ b/internal/processing/common/status.go
@@ -30,10 +30,12 @@
 
 // GetTargetStatusBy fetches the target status with db load function, given the authorized (or, nil) requester's
 // account. This returns an approprate gtserror.WithCode accounting for not found and visibility to requester.
+// The refresh argument allows specifying whether the returned copy should be force refreshed.
 func (p *Processor) GetTargetStatusBy(
 	ctx context.Context,
 	requester *gtsmodel.Account,
 	getTargetFromDB func() (*gtsmodel.Status, error),
+	refresh bool,
 ) (
 	status *gtsmodel.Status,
 	visible bool,
@@ -61,47 +63,52 @@ func (p *Processor) GetTargetStatusBy(
 	}
 
 	if requester != nil && visible {
-		// Ensure remote status is up-to-date.
-		p.federator.RefreshStatusAsync(ctx,
-			requester.Username,
-			target,
-			nil,
-			false,
-		)
+		// We only bother refreshing if this status
+		// is visible to requester, AND there *is*
+		// a requester (i.e. request is authorized)
+		// to prevent a possible DOS vector.
+
+		if refresh {
+			// Refresh required, forcibly do synchronously.
+			_, _, err := p.federator.RefreshStatus(ctx,
+				requester.Username,
+				target,
+				nil,
+				true, // force
+			)
+			if err != nil {
+				log.Errorf(ctx, "error refreshing status: %v", err)
+			}
+		} else {
+			// Only refresh async *if* out-of-date.
+			p.federator.RefreshStatusAsync(ctx,
+				requester.Username,
+				target,
+				nil,
+				false, // force
+			)
+		}
 	}
 
 	return target, visible, nil
 }
 
-// GetTargetStatusByID is a call-through to GetTargetStatus() using the db GetStatusByID() function.
-func (p *Processor) GetTargetStatusByID(
-	ctx context.Context,
-	requester *gtsmodel.Account,
-	targetID string,
-) (
-	status *gtsmodel.Status,
-	visible bool,
-	errWithCode gtserror.WithCode,
-) {
-	return p.GetTargetStatusBy(ctx, requester, func() (*gtsmodel.Status, error) {
-		return p.state.DB.GetStatusByID(ctx, targetID)
-	})
-}
-
-// GetVisibleTargetStatus calls GetTargetStatusByID(),
+// GetVisibleTargetStatus calls GetTargetStatusBy(),
 // but converts a non-visible result to not-found error.
-func (p *Processor) GetVisibleTargetStatus(
+func (p *Processor) GetVisibleTargetStatusBy(
 	ctx context.Context,
 	requester *gtsmodel.Account,
-	targetID string,
+	getTargetFromDB func() (*gtsmodel.Status, error),
+	refresh bool,
 ) (
 	status *gtsmodel.Status,
 	errWithCode gtserror.WithCode,
 ) {
 	// Fetch the target status by ID from the database.
-	target, visible, errWithCode := p.GetTargetStatusByID(ctx,
+	target, visible, errWithCode := p.GetTargetStatusBy(ctx,
 		requester,
-		targetID,
+		getTargetFromDB,
+		refresh,
 	)
 	if errWithCode != nil {
 		return nil, errWithCode
@@ -119,6 +126,22 @@ func (p *Processor) GetVisibleTargetStatus(
 	return target, nil
 }
 
+// GetVisibleTargetStatus calls GetVisibleTargetStatusBy(),
+// passing in a database function that fetches by status ID.
+func (p *Processor) GetVisibleTargetStatus(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	requester *gtsmodel.Account,
+	targetID string,
+	refresh bool,
+) (
+	status *gtsmodel.Status,
+	errWithCode gtserror.WithCode,
+) {
+	return p.GetVisibleTargetStatusBy(ctx, requester, func() (*gtsmodel.Status, error) {
+		return p.state.DB.GetStatusByID(ctx, targetID)
+	}, refresh)
+}
+
 // UnwrapIfBoost "unwraps" the given status if
 // it's a boost wrapper, by returning the boosted
 // status it targets (pending visibility checks).
@@ -132,9 +155,10 @@ func (p *Processor) UnwrapIfBoost(
 	if status.BoostOfID == "" {
 		return status, nil
 	}
-
 	return p.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx,
-		requester, status.BoostOfID,
+		requester,
+		status.BoostOfID,
+		false,
 	)
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/processing/fedi/status.go b/internal/processing/fedi/status.go
index 1c1af9cb4..2674ebf68 100644
--- a/internal/processing/fedi/status.go
+++ b/internal/processing/fedi/status.go
@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@ func (p *Processor) StatusRepliesGet(
 	status, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx,
 		requester,
 		statusID,
+		false, // refresh
 	)
 	if errWithCode != nil {
 		return nil, errWithCode
diff --git a/internal/processing/polls/poll.go b/internal/processing/polls/poll.go
index 3b258b76c..19cf555e5 100644
--- a/internal/processing/polls/poll.go
+++ b/internal/processing/polls/poll.go
@@ -19,11 +19,8 @@
 
 import (
 	"context"
-	"errors"
 
 	apimodel "github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/api/model"
-	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/db"
-	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtscontext"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtserror"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/processing/common"
@@ -48,35 +45,24 @@ func New(common *common.Processor, state *state.State, converter *typeutils.Conv
 }
 
 // getTargetPoll fetches a target poll ID for requesting account, taking visibility of the poll's originating status into account.
-func (p *Processor) getTargetPoll(ctx context.Context, requestingAccount *gtsmodel.Account, targetID string) (*gtsmodel.Poll, gtserror.WithCode) {
-	// Load the requested poll with ID.
-	// (barebones as we fetch status below)
-	poll, err := p.state.DB.GetPollByID(
-		gtscontext.SetBarebones(ctx),
-		targetID,
+func (p *Processor) getTargetPoll(ctx context.Context, requester *gtsmodel.Account, targetID string) (*gtsmodel.Poll, gtserror.WithCode) {
+	// Load the status the poll is attached to by the poll ID,
+	// checking for visibility and ensuring it is up-to-date.
+	status, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatusBy(ctx,
+		requester,
+		func() (*gtsmodel.Status, error) {
+			return p.state.DB.GetStatusByPollID(ctx, targetID)
+		},
+		true, // refresh
 	)
-	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, db.ErrNoEntries) {
-		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorInternalError(err)
-	}
-
-	if poll == nil {
-		// No poll could be found for given ID.
-		const text = "target poll not found"
-		return nil, gtserror.NewErrorNotFound(
-			errors.New(text),
-			text,
-		)
-	}
-
-	// Check that we can see + fetch the originating status for requesting account.
-	status, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx, requestingAccount, poll.StatusID)
 	if errWithCode != nil {
 		return nil, errWithCode
 	}
 
-	// Update poll status.
+	// Return most up-to-date
+	// copy of the status poll.
+	poll := status.Poll
 	poll.Status = status
-
 	return poll, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/processing/status/bookmark.go b/internal/processing/status/bookmark.go
index 634529ba4..224445838 100644
--- a/internal/processing/status/bookmark.go
+++ b/internal/processing/status/bookmark.go
@@ -30,7 +30,11 @@
 )
 
 func (p *Processor) getBookmarkableStatus(ctx context.Context, requestingAccount *gtsmodel.Account, targetStatusID string) (*gtsmodel.Status, string, gtserror.WithCode) {
-	targetStatus, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx, requestingAccount, targetStatusID)
+	targetStatus, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx,
+		requestingAccount,
+		targetStatusID,
+		false, // refresh
+	)
 	if errWithCode != nil {
 		return nil, "", errWithCode
 	}
diff --git a/internal/processing/status/boost.go b/internal/processing/status/boost.go
index 2062fb802..2fc96091e 100644
--- a/internal/processing/status/boost.go
+++ b/internal/processing/status/boost.go
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ func (p *Processor) BoostCreate(
 		ctx,
 		requester,
 		targetID,
+		false, // refresh
 	)
 	if errWithCode != nil {
 		return nil, errWithCode
@@ -112,6 +113,7 @@ func (p *Processor) BoostRemove(
 		ctx,
 		requester,
 		targetID,
+		false, // refresh
 	)
 	if errWithCode != nil {
 		return nil, errWithCode
diff --git a/internal/processing/status/fave.go b/internal/processing/status/fave.go
index dbeba7fe9..7ac270e8c 100644
--- a/internal/processing/status/fave.go
+++ b/internal/processing/status/fave.go
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ func (p *Processor) getFaveableStatus(
 		ctx,
 		requester,
 		targetID,
+		false, // refresh
 	)
 	if errWithCode != nil {
 		return nil, nil, errWithCode
@@ -149,7 +150,11 @@ func (p *Processor) FaveRemove(ctx context.Context, requestingAccount *gtsmodel.
 
 // FavedBy returns a slice of accounts that have liked the given status, filtered according to privacy settings.
 func (p *Processor) FavedBy(ctx context.Context, requestingAccount *gtsmodel.Account, targetStatusID string) ([]*apimodel.Account, gtserror.WithCode) {
-	targetStatus, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx, requestingAccount, targetStatusID)
+	targetStatus, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx,
+		requestingAccount,
+		targetStatusID,
+		false, // refresh
+	)
 	if errWithCode != nil {
 		return nil, errWithCode
 	}
diff --git a/internal/processing/status/get.go b/internal/processing/status/get.go
index c182bd148..f8c037404 100644
--- a/internal/processing/status/get.go
+++ b/internal/processing/status/get.go
@@ -28,7 +28,11 @@
 
 // Get gets the given status, taking account of privacy settings and blocks etc.
 func (p *Processor) Get(ctx context.Context, requestingAccount *gtsmodel.Account, targetStatusID string) (*apimodel.Status, gtserror.WithCode) {
-	targetStatus, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx, requestingAccount, targetStatusID)
+	targetStatus, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx,
+		requestingAccount,
+		targetStatusID,
+		false, // refresh
+	)
 	if errWithCode != nil {
 		return nil, errWithCode
 	}
@@ -38,7 +42,11 @@ func (p *Processor) Get(ctx context.Context, requestingAccount *gtsmodel.Account
 
 // WebGet gets the given status for web use, taking account of privacy settings.
 func (p *Processor) WebGet(ctx context.Context, targetStatusID string) (*apimodel.Status, gtserror.WithCode) {
-	targetStatus, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx, nil, targetStatusID)
+	targetStatus, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx,
+		nil, // requester
+		targetStatusID,
+		false, // refresh
+	)
 	if errWithCode != nil {
 		return nil, errWithCode
 	}
@@ -57,7 +65,11 @@ func (p *Processor) contextGet(
 	targetStatusID string,
 	convert func(context.Context, *gtsmodel.Status, *gtsmodel.Account) (*apimodel.Status, error),
 ) (*apimodel.Context, gtserror.WithCode) {
-	targetStatus, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx, requestingAccount, targetStatusID)
+	targetStatus, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx,
+		requestingAccount,
+		targetStatusID,
+		false, // refresh
+	)
 	if errWithCode != nil {
 		return nil, errWithCode
 	}
diff --git a/internal/processing/status/mute.go b/internal/processing/status/mute.go
index 1663ee0bc..fb4f3b384 100644
--- a/internal/processing/status/mute.go
+++ b/internal/processing/status/mute.go
@@ -41,7 +41,11 @@ func (p *Processor) getMuteableStatus(
 	requestingAccount *gtsmodel.Account,
 	targetStatusID string,
 ) (*gtsmodel.Status, gtserror.WithCode) {
-	targetStatus, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx, requestingAccount, targetStatusID)
+	targetStatus, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx,
+		requestingAccount,
+		targetStatusID,
+		false, // refresh
+	)
 	if errWithCode != nil {
 		return nil, errWithCode
 	}
diff --git a/internal/processing/status/pin.go b/internal/processing/status/pin.go
index b31288a64..f08b9652c 100644
--- a/internal/processing/status/pin.go
+++ b/internal/processing/status/pin.go
@@ -39,7 +39,11 @@
 //   - Status is public, unlisted, or followers-only.
 //   - Status is not a boost.
 func (p *Processor) getPinnableStatus(ctx context.Context, requestingAccount *gtsmodel.Account, targetStatusID string) (*gtsmodel.Status, gtserror.WithCode) {
-	targetStatus, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx, requestingAccount, targetStatusID)
+	targetStatus, errWithCode := p.c.GetVisibleTargetStatus(ctx,
+		requestingAccount,
+		targetStatusID,
+		false, // refresh
+	)
 	if errWithCode != nil {
 		return nil, errWithCode
 	}