• With the mask mandate and other COVID-19 restrictions lifted on June 22, the giveaway reminds to residents to get vaccinated.

MICHIGAN - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a new sweepstakes for vaccinated Michigan residents on July 1. The sweepstakes will run from July 1 to Aug. 3, 2021.

Both newly vaccinated and residents vaccinated after Dec. 1, 2020 are eligible to enter into the drawings.

There are four drawings to enter:

- $1 Million Drawing: One prize for Michigan resident age 18 and older vaccinated between Dec, 1, 2020 and July 10, 2021.
- $2 Million Drawing: One prize for Michigan resident age 18 or older vaccinated between Dec. 1, 2020 and July 30, 2021.
- $50,000 Daily Drawings: 30 daily prizes for Michigan residents age 18 or older who received first dose vaccination on the date corresponding to the drawing.
- Scholarship Drawing: Nine prizes for Michigan residents age 12 to 17 that are entered by their parents. Consists of a four-year Michigan Education Trust Charitable Tuition Program contract valued at $55,000 used for tuition and fees at a college or university.

One registration is allowed per person and based on eligibility for the drawings, residents will be automatically entered. Winners will be notified through telephone and/or email. If a response is not given within 96 hours, an alternate winner may be selected.

The sweepstakes is powered by Meijer in partnership with the Michigan Association of United Ways and the State of Michigan. However, residents do not have to get vaccinated through only Meijer. They are eligible to receive the prize just for receiving their first dose through Meijer, their doctor, the local health department, a pharmacy, a hospital and other places that offer them.

Michigan is not the first to offer a sweepstakes for COVID-19 vaccinations. Ohio held its ‘Vax-a-million’ campaign which increased the state's vaccination numbers immensely and that is what Gov. Whitmer is hoping to happen in Michigan.

“If there’s one thing every Michigander can agree on, it’s whatever Ohio can do, Michigan can do it better and bigger,” said Gov. Whitmer. “This sweepstakes gives every Michigander who’s been vaccinated a shot to win cash or college scholarships.”

The goal of the sweepstakes is to raise the COVID-19 vaccination rate in Michigan by 9% to achieve a total of 70% of residents 16 and older who are vaccinated.

Residents are able to register online or through the phone for the sweepstakes. To register through the MI Shot to Win Sweepstakes Hotline, dial: 888.535.6136 and then press 1.