R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-3-6
There is hereby established a personnel appeal board to consist of five (5) qualified electors who shall be known to be in sympathy with the application of modern personnel practices, under a merit system of personnel administration, in the public service and not more than three (3) of whom shall be members of the same political party. In the month of March in each odd numbered year, the governor, with the consent of the senate, shall appoint members of the personnel appeal board to succeed the members whose term will next expire. Each member of the board so appointed shall hold office until the first day of April in the sixth year following his or her appointment and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. A vacancy, whatever the circumstances of its creation, shall be filled by appointment of the governor with the consent of the senate within sixty (60) days and only for the unexpired portion of the term.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-3-6