R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-19-32: Recording and signing of returns.

Immediately upon the close of the polls the warden shall, in the presence of the other election or primary election officers and the election inspector, follow the procedure for the closing of the unit set forth by the vendor of the optical scan precinct count unit. The warden and clerk shall sign the first copy of the tape containing the votes cast and shall remove the tape from the optical scan precinct count unit. The warden shall then obtain three (3) additional copies of the tape containing the vote totals from the optical scan precinct count unit, and the warden shall proceed to read off in a clear and loud voice the vote for each candidate, and upon each question as indicated by the vote totals on the printed tape and the number of votes cast for persons not nominated.