Ok. So the set the threshold low enough to allow the conservative third party but high enough to eliminate the liberal third party. Absolutely devious.
It works a little different in NY.
Rather than nominating its own candidates, the Conservative Party usually endorses the same candidates as the Republican Party and campaigns against the Democratic candidates. However, the party has withheld support from Republican candidates if they are too liberal.
If the Conservative party gives the GOP candidate its line the votes from that line are added to the candidate’s total.