(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section six of this article, the following persons are entitled to register to vote, in person, at the office of the clerk of the county commission up to, but not including, the day of the election:

1. (1) Any member of a uniformed service of the United States, as defined in 42 U. S. C. § 1973ff-6 (7), who is on active duty;
2. (2) Any member of a uniformed service of the United States, as defined in 42 U. S. C. § 1973ff-6 (7), who is discharged from active duty during the sixty days immediately preceding the election;
3. (3) Any member of the Merchant Marine of the United States;
4. (4) Any person residing outside the country by virtue of his or her employment in support of national security functions or purposes and presents appropriate documentation of such employment as prescribed by the Secretary of State; and
5. (5) Any spouse or dependent residing with a person listed in subdivisions (1), (2), (3) or (4) of this subsection.

(b) The provisions of subsection (a) apply only to those persons who are otherwise qualified to register and who, by reason of such active duty or temporary overseas residency:

1. (1) Are normally absent from the county in which they reside; or
2. (2) Have been absent from such county and returned to reside there during the twenty-one days immediately preceding the election.