Coronavirus has forced us to take a look at business as usual — because there is nothing usual about how we work and play — or vote — since the pandemic sent lives cartwheeling.

Primaries slated for April have jumped twice since COVID-19 protocols have been put in place, first to June 2 and then to August 11. How comfortable people feel going to the polling places in August, or even November, could have an impact on who decides to vote or forego voting in this election year. That is a big problem for our democracy.

Mail-in voting is a common sense approach this year to ensure that all Americans who care to cast a ballot feel they can do so without endangering themselves or others. Mail-in voter fraud is actually rare; Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Utah have all utilized mail-in voting for years, with an average of less than one incident a year of fraudulent voting attempts, observes the Brookings Institute.

Polling places can be problematic, as evidenced by the recent fiasco in Georgia, when under-trained staff in charge of unvetted and new machines hurriedly placed into service caused polling sites to back up, frustrating and alienating voters, and forcing polling places to extend voting hours.

The pandemic has also taken its toll on trained polling staff nationwide, whether personally affected or uncomfortable with the prospect of coming in contact with crowds of voters. Continued fears of contracting the deadly virus may decimate the numbers further as autumn sets in.

We stake our country on the democratic process of voting. Every eligible American needs to feel they can vote, and that every vote will count.

Currently, 28 states allow absentee ballots to be issued without requiring an excuse. Connecticut is among the 17 states that, under usual circumstances, demand a request for an absentee ballot be accompanied by a reason of: out of town on the day of voting; sick or disabled; in the military; physical disability; election day duties; or religious belief.

Governor Ned Lamont, in Executive Order 7QQ, recognized that COVID-19 concerns are valid reasons to request an absentee ballet for the August primaries, and that the dangers of spreading COVID-19 at polling places warrant action to protect the citizens of this state and allow a safe means of casting a vote — by mail. Secretary of State Denise Merrill has said all registered voters will receive an application in the mail to apply for an absentee ballot. The fly in the ointment is a lawsuit state Republicans are filing to thwart that action as unconstitutional. Voters must be confident that mail-in votes in August are not invalidated, nor should voting be compromised by a lack of options.

Mail-in voting, for personal safety and the safety of those who will report to work at polling places, is wise. Less person-to-person contact will help the continued abatement of what remains an uncontrolled and dangerous virus.

This is the year to put increased access to mail-in voting into practice. And as we know, practice makes perfect.