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 - in both a straight yes/no poll and a candidate face-off. Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 4, and the combined winner of our reader polls will be announced on Dec. 6. TIME's Person of the Year will be announced Dec. 11.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Turkey’s outspoken premier batted down Occupy Wall Street-style protests, a sign, critics say, of his authoritarian streak.
General El-Sisi: The Egyptian defense minister (and top army general) spearheaded the controversial removal of democratically-elected President Mohamed Morsi in July this year.
