Headline magnet Miley Cyrus is leading Time magazine's Person of the Year online poll, with nearly 28% of the votes as of Thursday night. The pop star is ahead of former NSA defense contractor Edward Snowden, as well as notable figures in politics, religion and entertainment.
The poll winner, which will be revealed Dec. 6, isn't necessarily the person who becomes Time's Person of the Year, as the editors will pick and then announce that honor on Dec. 11.
See also: Miley Cyrus Sings Funny 'We Did Stop (The Government)' on 'SNL'
Cyrus, 21, has no doubt had a commercially successful 2013, drumming up massive amounts of social buzz, YouTube views and music sales due to a combination of talent and controversial antics. The singer's twerk-filled MTV VMAs performance dominated social conversations for months, her nude "Wrecking Ball" video earned the record for most views in 24 hours, and she helped "twerk" get added to Oxford Dictionaries Online.
Whether those ingredients warrant the title of Person of the Year is solely up to Time's editors. But if history is any indication, Cyrus won't win.
The prestigious honor has routinely gone to world leaders (U.S. President Barack Obama in 2012 and 2008; Vladimir Putin in 2007; George W. Bush in 2004 and 2000) or groups of people (protestor in 2011; "you" in 2006; good samaritans in 2005; the American soldier in 2003). Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg earned the title in 2010, while Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke received it in 2009.
Time uses its reader poll to keep its finger on the pulse of public sentiment. The magazine even added a Twitter component this year to encourage more participation.
However, a pair of programmers are trying to make a mockery of the Poptip poll by claiming that they've rigged it to cast multiple votes for Cyrus, according to The Daily Dot.
"Time and Poptip are aware of the efforts to affect the results of the Person of the Year poll, and have measures in place so that only legitimate votes are being incorporated in the final tally," a Time spokesperson told Mashable. "We're delighted that so many people are having fun with this informal poll and contributing to the conversation [about who should win]. "

It's unclear how many votes from the 28% currently have come from the programmers' hijacking efforts and how many have actually come from Cyrus supporters, but as Time said, it will only include legitimate votes in the "final tally."
Over the years, Time's poll efforts have encountered setbacks. Last year, programmers built software that resulted in North Korean President Kim Jong-un taking home the title, while in 2009, 4chan rallied to move its founder Christopher Poole to the top of the rankings.
Cyrus' voting page describes her as follows: "The artist formerly known as Hannah Montana got tongues wagging — beyond her own —with a scantily clad, twerk-filled performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards and meme-able hit videos."
On Twitter, Cyrus has retweeted fans who are encouraging their followers to vote for her.
Time has chosen a Person of the Year honoree since 1927 when American aviator Charles Lindbergh won.
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BONUS: Miley Cyrus's Guide to Owning Your 21st Birthday
Do you have a group of friends and a way to procure alcohol? Then you'll be good. Relax.
The right glittery clutch, or grill, could make the difference.
You don't want to wear the dress that slips off or the heels that always catch on tiles, this is not a night for wardrobe malfunctions.
Trying a weird looking drink crazy, not rob a liqueur store crazy.
It should keep you from doing anything too dangerous.
It's your birthday, and you can sparkle if you want to.
It's your birthday and no one can fault you for claiming an afternoon nap.
This is your night, and whether you want it too] look like The Hangover or not is your decision.
Because sometimes the difference between tipsy and drunk is a bag of goldfish.
You're going to have fun, but it probably won't be the best night or your life. But that's good, because you have a lot of birthdays left.
Even if the perfect bar is packed or they're out of your favorite drink, it's going to be ok.
Hey, it works for Miley.
It's very possible you're going to have to trust these people to keep you from making terrible decisions. So ask yourself -- would they let you do it for the vine?
Image: WireImage/Getty Images