Vote.where(:"versions".elem_match => { :updated_at.lte => Time.now.utc})
=> #<Mongoid::Criteria
  selector: {"versions"=>{"$elemMatch"=>

{#<Origin::Key:0x00000004ef1b50 @name=:updated_at, @strategy=:__override__, @operator="$lte", @expanded=nil, @block=nil>=>2012-07-17 08:12:34 UTC}

}},
  options: {},
  class: Vote,
  embedded: false>

This return empty results

Vote.where(:"versions".elem_match => { :updated_at => { :$lte => Time.now.utc} })
=> #<Mongoid::Criteria
  selector: {"versions"=>{"$elemMatch"=>{:updated_at=>{:$lte=>2012-07-17 08:12:44 UTC}}}},
  options: {},
  class: Vote,
  embedded: false>

This however returns correct result. Is it no longer possible to use first approach ?