They can submit a voter registration, WITH an absentee ballot request in the same envelope. As we open the mail that contains both forms (a Voter Registration, even if first time registration, AND an Absentee Ballot request) we flag those and give them to the correct person to process. The voter registration form is processed first to guarantee the voter is registered and in the system. Then we submit the Absentee Ballot request to the correct handler to facilitate the absentee ballot request. Because the Absentee Ballot forms are time sensitive (we've got to process them in time to make sure we get them verified with the Voter Registration database and then get the ballots mailed out) we're encouraging people to send in their absentee ballots ASAP.
Details from the website:
Absentee Voting By Mail
The first absentee ballot mail-out with be September 19th (approximately)
The deadline to apply by mail or fax for ballot , October 28th, 5:00 p.m.
The deadline to return ballot, November 4th, 7:00 p.m.*
*All mailed absentee ballots MUST be received at the Office of Elections by 7:00 p.m. on November 4th in order to be counted
Contact
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb/homepage.htm or call The Office of the General Registrar, 703-222-0776 for more help.