R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-1-2.1

For the purpose of assisting registrars and other persons in identifying a voter’s signature, whenever in this title and whenever under any home rule charter enacted pursuant to article XIII, § 1 of the Constitution of the state of Rhode Island a voter’s signature is required, space shall be provided and so labeled for the voter to print his or her legal name. However, failure of the voter to print his or her name shall not invalidate the signature if otherwise legible. This section shall not apply to the original voter’s registration form and other forms where the name of the voter is typed and/or printed.