The state of Michigan is incentivizing people to get their COVID-19 vaccine by launching a lottery-style raffle.
The prizes include million-dollar jackpots and college scholarships.
The sweepstakes are called “MI Shot to Win”, and puts grand prizes of one and two million dollars on the table for vaccinated Michiganders ages 18 and older. In total, 4.5 million in cash and nearly 500,000 dollars in college scholarships are up for grabs.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she hopes the raffle will help Michigan reach its goal of vaccinating 70 percent of its 16 and older population.
“From the start, our vaccination goal has been to vaccinate 70 percent of Michiganders ages 16 and up," Whitmer said. "With the sweepstakes, we hope to increase our rate by that 9 percent roughly 700,000 more Michiganders so we can get to that 70 percent rate.”
Whitmer says she took inspiration for the sweepstakes from Ohio which did a similar multimillion-dollar giveaway.
“I know some of you must be thinking, didn't Ohio do this first," Whitmer asked. "Well, yes, they did. But in typical Michigan fashion, we wanted to do it bigger and better than they can do in Ohio. And that’s what we are here to announce.”
Residents ages 18 and older who have received one dose of a COVID vaccine are eligible to register for both a one-million-dollar prize and a two-million-dollar jackpot.
Director of the Protect Michigan Commission Kerry Ebersole Singh says people who get vaccinated this month and register will also be entered a daily drawing.
"We have $50,000-dollar daily drawings, you ask how many days? 30," Ebersole Singh said. "We're going to do 30 $50,000 daily drawings. We must obviously check your vaccine status.”
Michiganders 12 to 17-years-old can apply for one of nine scholarships, valued at 55-thousand dollars each. Parents can enter on their child's behalf.
The sweepstakes begin July 1 and ends Aug 3. To learn more about eligibility and requirements, visit MIShotToWin.com.