R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-14-12
All nomination papers for state offices or officers and all certified lists of candidates for local offices or officers shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state (the certified lists by the respective local boards), not later than fifty-four (54) days before the date of the primary held to nominate candidates for general election; but when there is a primary to nominate candidates for any office mentioned in § 17-15-7 to be voted upon at a special election for state and local office, all nomination papers and lists of local candidates shall be filed in the office on or before the twenty-sixth (26th) day preceding the day of the special primary election, or when there is a primary to nominate candidates for any office listed in § 17-15-7 to be voted upon at a special election for federal office, all nomination papers and lists of local candidates shall be filed in the office on or before the forty-nineth (49th) day preceding the day of the special primary election. Nomination papers for independent presidential candidates and presidential candidates of political parties other than those defined in § 17-1-2(9) shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state by the local boards of canvassers not later than fifty-four (54) days before the date of the election.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-14-12