When a voter who qualifies as a special absentee voter pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 300 applies for a vote by mail ballot, the application shall be deemed to be an affidavit of registration and an application for permanent vote by mail status, pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 3200). The application must be completed by the voter and must contain the voter's name, residence address for voting purposes, the address to which the ballot is to be sent, the voter's political party for a primary election, and the voter's signature.
If the applicant is not a resident of the county to which he or she has applied, the elections official receiving the application shall forward it immediately to the proper county.