Time magazine has narrowed down its list of candidates for the annual Person of the Year issue.

This year’s possible winners include Apple CEO Tim Cook, Alibaba founder Jack Ma, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iraqi Kurdish President Massoud Barzani and singer Taylor Swift. The list also includes groups of individuals, like the Ebola caregivers and protestors in Ferguson, Missouri.

Time magazine editor Nancy Gibbs revealed the eight finalists on the “Today” show Monday morning. The candidates are those who the magazine believes have had the biggest influence on the news within the past year. Protestors in Ferguson, following the death of unarmed teenager Michael Brown, made the list because they “launched a whole new conversation about race relations and the administration of justice in this country,” Gibbs said.

While some may question Taylor Swift’s inclusion for consideration, Gibbs credited the pop star for her impact as a businesswoman this year, making the bold decision to pull all of her music off of the streaming service Spotify.

The winner is chosen each year by the magazine’s editors, but readers can still place their vote on Time’s website. Previous winners have included Pope Francis, President Barack Obama and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

The 2014 TIme Person of the Year will be announced Wednesday.