Intimate, quiet, with no holding back.

Everything a date with a legislator should be.

The Tea Party Patriots of North Idaho are hoping to provide that experience for voters next month at a Conservative Candidates Forum at the Greyhound Park and Event Center, where county and legislative candidates will answer questions in a speed dating format.

"What we wanted to do was provide an opportunity for voters who hadn't really had the opportunity to meet the candidates to see them face to face," said Brent Regan, volunteer for the Tea Party Patriots.

Candidates will be available for general hobnobbing at the free event, he said, and will also give short speeches.

Then they will separate and "hold court," he said, with voters visiting with them and lobbing questions for roughly 15 minute intervals. Then each small crowd will move on to the next politician.

"Just getting to know all the candidates," he said.

Various conservative groups in the area will also have information booths so folks can learn about getting involved, he said.

"Just to better inform the voters," Regan said of the goal of the event. "You go down the slate of candidates when you go to the voting booth, some you don't know or you haven't seen their faces, you don't know who they are. This is to jump start this process."

The Tea Party Patriots have sent out invitations to everyone who will appear on the Republican primary ballot, Regan said, including candidates for county sheriff, county commissioner, county prosecuting attorney, legislative seats and precinct committee chairs.

The list of candidates who agree to participate will be posted on IdahoTea.com.

The doors will open at 5 p.m. on April 11. The event will start at 6 p.m.

"We expect everybody to show up," he said.