HARRISBURG — In a decision posted Friday, state Judge James Gardner Colins ruled against a jury commissioners’ group that wanted county jury commissioner races put on the May 21 ballot. The candidates instead will be chosen by the political parties

The issue arose after the state Supreme Court last month threw out a 2011 law under which 42 counties had eliminated their jury commissioners.

Colins said it would not be possible to include the races in the primary “without creating a chaotic, expensive and unmanageable system.”

Sam Stretton, who represents the Pennsylvania State Association of Jury Commissioners and several commissioners who had sued, said they would appeal to the Supreme Court next week.