NATIONWIDE – On the first day of early voting, Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, moderated a panel of cyber security experts on election hacking.

In light of the investigation into Russian meddling into the United States 2016 elections, the topic of cyber security is on many politicians’ minds.

Topics discussed at the panel include several measures to protect the ballot box. Protective measures include training, technical support, and financial support.

"There is no bigger issue than ensuring the integrity of our vote, and people are taking that issue seriously," said Hurd.

Hurd, a former CIA operative and cyber security expert, was joined by an elite panel of San Antonio experts.

Russian meddling into the 2016 elections was discussed. One expert warns more meddling is on the way during this election cycle.

Experts fear social media bots will once again travel thousands of miles across the Internet with one simple goal: to sway votes. Last week, the Associated Press reported, 13 Russians and three Russian companies were indicted for social media propaganda efforts by purchasing online ads.

"We're so divisive in our politics, that it is so easy for a country like Russia or somebody else who doesn't want good for us, to influence us," said Hurd.

Hurd went on to say Congress has worked diligently the last year-and-a-half, to protect the elections critical infrastructure.