Newt Gingrich, Padma Lakshmi, Bryan Cranston and Matt Lauer share their picks
As always, TIME's editors will choose the Person of the Year, but that doesn't mean readers shouldn't have their say. Cast your vote for the person you think most influenced the news this year for better or worse. Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 12, and the winner of our reader poll will be announced on Dec. 13. TIME's Person of the Year will be announced Dec. 19