You've probably already gotten a reply or two, but in case not, here's what I know about voting absentee, which I am signed up to do in perpetuity.
I contacted the Voter Registration Office for my county and requested to be put on their perpetual absentee voter list. This was done and they send me the ballot well in advance of each election. I love voting this way because I am no longer surprised, as I used to be, by some issue appearing on the ballot that I didn't know would be there, and it gives me time to check out the numerous judicial candidates, etc.
My main reason for starting this was that I would often be too ill to get to the voting booth on election day and I was tired of missing the chance to vote. Now, even though my health is better, I continue to use absentee balloting for the above reasons.
Thanks Gretchen--I have a friend who absentee votes every time just to avoid the drive into town and the long lines.
In contrast, I live about four blocks from where I vote (and that's "across town!"), I know every one of the people who register the voters, and I've never, ever had to wait to vote in one of the three voting booths. :-)
Anyone voting this way should go over the ballot several times to be SURE everthing has been done correctly. Baltimore Co. in Md. is famous for ballot fraud, voting from the grave, etc. The name of the woman who gave the state of Florida to the President admitted she voted this way once and forgot to sign it!!!