R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-20-10.2
In the event the official ballot is not available for issuance and mailing forty-five (45) days before a general, primary, or special election, persons applying for a mail ballot under subdivision 17-20-2(3) and persons applying for a mail ballot through the use of the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) shall be issued an official state blank ballot forty-five (45) days before the election. Additionally, the voter shall be sent the official ballot immediately upon the ballots becoming available. The office of secretary of state shall be responsible for the arrangement, preparation, printing and distribution of the official state blank ballots. The secretary of state shall also be responsible for all accompanying candidate listings to the extent that information is available, instruction sheets, and envelopes.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-20-10.2