R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-8-18: Powers of deputies.

The first deputy shall, in the absence of the secretary of state, do all things by law required of the secretary of state, as fully as the secretary him or herself might or could do; the second deputy shall, in the absence of the secretary of state and the first deputy, do all things by law required of the secretary of state or first deputy, as fully as the secretary of state or the deputy might or could do; and the secretary of state shall be liable for any misconduct, neglect, or default of the first deputy or second deputy; provided, however, that the secretary of state is hereby authorized to appoint, in cases of emergency, an acting deputy to act for the period of an emergency only who shall have the power and authority as provided above.