Rhode Island General Laws Title 17. Elections § 17-15-30. Tabulation of local returns--Certificate of nomination or election

(a) The local board shall meet on the day following the primary election and shall tabulate the city or town primary returns, as the case may be, and announce the results, but shall issue no certificates of nomination or election to party office until the expiration of the period in which a recount may be requested as provided in § 17-15-34, and if a request has been filed, the result shall be finally determined by the local board. Following the expiration of this period and the final determination by the local board, if any request for a recount is made, the local board shall issue certificates of nomination or election to party offices to the candidates so nominated or elected.

(b) When a local election is held in conjunction with a statewide election, the state board shall tabulate local mail ballots and immediately forward the results to the appropriate local board; when a local election is not held in conjunction with a statewide election, the local board shall tabulate their local mail ballots.