The following persons shall be entitled to register to vote by mail if they possess the qualifications of an elector and are not disqualified from voting under the Constitution and laws of Alabama: Members of the Armed Forces of the United States, persons employed outside the United States, persons absent because of attendance at institutions of higher learning and the spouses and children of such persons. Such persons shall be entitled to register by mail only in the counties where they were residents prior to entering the status which makes them eligible for such registration.

An application for absentee registration shall be in writing and shall be filed with the board of registrars of the county in which the elector resides. The board shall furnish the applicant a written application in the same form as that provided other applicants and any additional application deemed necessary to determine eligibility to register, which application shall be answered by the applicant without assistance and shall be verified before a commissioned officer of the Armed Forces of the United States or any person authorized to administer oaths and take affidavits. Such application shall be filed with the records of the board. The board may take other testimony respecting the applicant and the truthfulness of any information furnished by the applicant. Any additional testimony so taken shall be reduced to writing and shall be sworn to by the witness before a member or clerk of the board or anyone authorized to administer oaths.