---
title: "Managing Segmented Questions"
slug: "managing-segmented-questions"
description: "Restrict questions to elector groups with Segment 1 and Segment 2 fields, combine segments under the 255-character limit, and show {{segment1}} on the ballot."
updated: 2025-09-02T16:52:32Z
published: 2025-09-02T16:52:32Z
canonical: "help.simplyvoting.com/managing-segmented-questions"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.simplyvoting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Managing Segmented Questions

On the **Questions** **Details** page, you define how each question is segmented by selecting segments in the **Segment 1** and / or **Segment 2** fields.

> [!NOTE]
> Understanding Segment Restrictions
> 
> In general terms, you can think of segmentation this way:
> 
> - If **no segment** is selected, the question can be seen by **all electors** in the election.
> - If **one segment** is selected, the question can only be seen by **electors who match that segment**.
> - If **multiple segments** are selected, the question can only be seen by electors who match **one** of the segments in **Segment 1**, **AND one** of the segments in **Segment 2** (if any).
> 
> Example: If you select **RETIRED** for **Segment 1** and **MIDWEST** for **Segment 2**, then only “retired” electors of the “Midwest” will see the question.

Before segmentation can be configured for any question, electors with the defined segments must exist in the **Electors** list.

For more information about managing segmented electors, please see [**Managing Segmented Electors**](/v1/docs/en/managing-segmented-electors).

To restrict the question to one or more segment(s), simply start typing a segment name in one of the Segmentation fields.

A dropdown will instantly suggest available segments, letting you select them with ease.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/a78bcdfe-0fc1-4248-a709-1fe58ecd1ca1/Images/Documentation/image(268).png)

Character limitations in segmentation fields

When selecting **multiple segments 1s** or **multiple segment 2s**, the cumulative length of the selected segments cannot exceed **255 characters** including spaces. Note that semicolons are *implied* when selecting multiple segments: for example, selecting both "*Associate*" and "*Retired*" from the **segment 1** menu results in the question being restricted to "*ASSOCIATE;RETIRED*", a total of 17 characters.

If your segment names are too long, consider using abbrevations or acronyms to avoid going over the character limit. For example, a segment named "*FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES*" could be renamed "*ARTS&SC*" to use fewer characters. If you have a large number of segments, consider consolidating multiple segment into one, if possible.

For more information about chacter limitations, visit the [FAQ article](/v1/docs/character-limits).

The example above is for a “*Retired Representative*” question, which relates to all retired members within the organization, regardless of their geographic location. Access will be restricted to all *"Retired" electors* (**segment 1**), while adding no restrictions regarding *geographic location* (**segment 2**). Thus, all electors that are grouped into the “*Retired*” segment will have access to this question regardless of their *geographic location*.

Click the **Save** button after you’ve filled out the details of the question before proceeding onto **question options** or before moving onto creating additional **questions**.

Once you have completed one **question**, you can create additional **questions** with other segmentation restrictions, such as questions for only "*Northeast*" electors, or for only "*Northwest Associate*" electors, or for "*Student and Regular*" electors, etc.

Specifying Segments in Description Fields

Optionally, users may wish to specify and inform electors about their specific segment(s) for transparency or other reasons.

To do so, you can use variable placeholders in the **Description** field on the **Election Details** page or in the **Description** field on the **Question Details** page. This variable placeholder will correspond to each unique elector's specific segment(s), thus allowing them to be dynamically displayed on the ballot if they are used. The placeholders for segmentation are: **{{segment1}}** and **{{segment2}}**.

To use a **placeholder**, simply start typing two open curly brackets (i.e. **{{** ) to open a dynamic auto-complete menu of available placeholders depending on the features activated on your account and relevant to this specific field.

Displaying segmentation may only make sense if your segment values are human-readable and can be easily understood – if you are using internal codes for segment values, such values may be confusing.