Qualifying votes include: roll call votes, recorded votes, yea-and-nay votes, electronic votes (in the House), and division/standing votes.

The following do NOT satisfy the Payout Criterion: voice votes where individual member positions are not recorded, unanimous consent agreements without a recorded vote, votes in committee (unless the bill or motion specifically refers to a committee vote), procedural determinations by the presiding officer, and deemed passage without an actual vote.

For clarity, the following does satisfy the Payout Criterion: a vote on cloture (Senate) regarding the bill or motion, a vote on the rule governing debate of the bill or motion (House) if the bill or motion specifically refers to that rule, a vote on a motion to proceed to the bill or motion (Senate), and a vote on final passage. A vote on an amendment to the bill or motion does NOT satisfy the Payout Criterion unless the bill or motion specifically refers to that amendment. If a bill changes designation (e.g., from H.R. 1234 to S. 1234 when moving between chambers), only votes on the specific designation listed will satisfy the Payout Criterion unless otherwise designated.