An ink jet recording element comprising a support having thereon, in the order recited, a base layer comprising a hydrophilic material and an ink-receptive top layer comprising a mordant polymer having the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: A represents units of an addition polymerizable monomer containing at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups;B represents units of a copolymerizable, .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated monomer;Q is N or P;R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 each independently represents a carbocyclic or alkyl group;M.sup.- is an anion;x is from about 0.25 to about 5 mole percent;y is from about 0 to about 90 mole percent; andz is from about 10 to about 99 mole percent.