People across Westchester and the Hudson Valley are rushing to the stores today to buy Mega Millions tickets for tonight's $312 million drawing.

No one has won the top prize since Feb. 1, but three people won second-place prizes worth $250,000 each.

The Mega Millions lottery is played in 42 states and the District of Columbia. Moussa Sakho, the manager of a lottery outlet in Yonkers, says the rush for tickets began early in the morning.

To win the jackpot, a ticket needs to have the correct five-number combination, as well as the correct Mega number. The lucky winner will have the option to either take the money as a lump sum, or in annual payments.

Leon Burgess, of Manhattan, says if he wins, he will share the money with family and "live well."