Okay, so this isn't a good start.

Weeks before he takes office, Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis is suggesting we ignore the state Constitution. Not totally, just one amendment. And just for a few months.

I don't have a law degree, but I'm pretty sure constitutions don't come with multiple-choice or temporary-anarchy provisions.

THE BUZZ: Amendment 4 in Florida passed: What's next for convicted felons and their voting rights?

In this case, DeSantis has concerns about the implementation of Amendment 4. This was a ballot initiative passed by voters last month that gives felons the right to vote in Florida once the terms of their sentences have been completed. The governor-elect told the Palm Beach Post that he wants to postpone the Jan. 8 implementation of the amendment until the Legislature weighs in.

Now it should be pointed out that this is a major change in state law, and there are some administrative issues that need to be figured out.

But, and I don't think I'm breaking news here, that's the governor's job.

His administration needs to figure out the logistics and put a system in place that follows the constitution and works for citizens, elections offices and the state agencies involved.

And the Legislature has absolutely no role.

"That's the whole point of a ballot initiative, to bypass the legislative process,'' said Scott Greenberg, executive director of the Freedom Fund, which works to avoid wholesale jailing of low-income people. "Where Amendment 4 is concerned, I don't see how lawmakers have anything to do with it.''

So what's the issue?

THE BUZZ: Ron DeSantis says Amendment 4 should be delayed until he signs bill from lawmakers

The amendment specifically says felons must have completed their sentence. That would include any court costs, fines or restitution payments. And that could cause some confusion.

The Freedom Fund recently did a random check of 100 felons convicted of eligible crimes 20 years ago. The fund discovered 92 of the 100 still had outstanding court debts. This could be because they were unaware of court costs when they got out of prison. It could be because they can't afford to pay. Or it could be because they simply don't want to pay.

No matter what the reason, they are not allowed to vote until they take care of those costs. Now maybe we want to address whether community service can be substituted for court costs, but that's a separate issue. For now, those felons have not completed their sentence.

And it's up to the state to vet those applications and, presumably, notify those felons if there are outstanding bills to be paid.

"From our point of view, it's just a continuation of the process we're already using,'' said Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer. "The only difference is the state needs to check all of the aspects of an application to determine their eligibility.''

So, administratively, the state may need to update its database to make sure that information is readily available. But that's a chore, not a law-making responsibility.

The Legislature has nothing to do with Amendment 4, and the governor has no role other than making sure the intent of the Constitution is followed.

"That was the best part of Amendment 4,'' said Pasco Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley. "In the long history of amendments, it might have been the most straightforward and coherent ever written.''

Contact John Romano at jromano@tampabay.com or follow @romano_tbtimes.